GTA Cleans Up After Severe Storm
Posted July 12, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The GTA was caught by surprise when a severe storm hit on Saturday leaving downed trees and power lines in its path.
Oshawa, Whitby and other parts of Durham Region were pelted by hail in the evening. But hours before that downpour, Mississauga had it much worse.
High winds snapped the base of a nearly century-old tree on Cawthra Road, which brought down dozens of hydro poles with it when it fell.
“It just came down and we saw it sparking. The whole street was just lit up. It was just one big explosion,” described area resident Wilson Dubay.
The driver of a red Volkswagen narrowly escaped death when a hydro pole came down on his car. He was trapped there for about an hour until emergency crews could safely get him out.
Hydro crews were working to get power back up but estimate some residents may be affected for days.
For much of the day Environment Canada updated its severe thunderstorm warnings and watches for Southern Ontario, including Hamilton, Mississauga, Brampton, Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Toronto. But things finally settled down into the evening.
Extreme Weather Brings Down Trees, Hydro Poles
