Canada's largest city, Toronto, experienced significant flooding on Tuesday as heavy rains swept through the area, causing widespread disruptions and power outages. The Don Valley Parkway, a major highway connecting the north part of the city to downtown, was closed due to flooding, with Toronto Fire Services conducting multiple rescues of individuals trapped in their vehicles.
Lakeshore Boulevard, running along Lake Ontario, was also affected by flooding, leading to road closures and traffic diversions. Union Station, a crucial transit hub in the downtown core, experienced flooding, resulting in temporary closures of stores and disruptions to subway services.
Various parts of the city, including the underground PATH network, faced flooding issues, with localized flooding impacting transit routes and causing inconvenience to commuters. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued warnings about dangerous conditions along shorelines, rivers, and streams, urging caution to residents.
Notable figures, such as rapper Drake and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, also reported flooding incidents at their respective properties. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow provided updates on the power outages, with around 109,000 Toronto Hydro customers affected by late afternoon.
The severe weather conditions, with over 10 centimeters of rainfall in certain areas, underscored the challenges posed by extreme weather events and the importance of preparedness and response measures. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and work towards restoring normalcy in the affected areas.
