Southern Ont. pounded by fierce storms
Posted August 24, 2011 12:08 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A severe thunderstorm warning and tornado watch have ended for Toronto, but extreme weather continues to rage across a large portion of the province, with Hydro One reporting numerous outages across southern Ontario.
Tornado warnings spread throughout southern Ontario as night fell Wednesday, with Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga and Brampton all under Environment Canada red alerts at one point. They have since been lifted.
Shortly after 9 p.m., the system moved into Toronto, with sheets of pounding rain and flashes of lightning snaking across the sky.
The severe weather prompted the CNE to shut down all outdoor activities.
“The CNE, in the best interest of the safety of its patrons, has asked visitors to go into CNE buildings or to leave the grounds,” it said in a release.
A Toronto FC game was also halted.
There were reports of funnel clouds spotted in Ontario, but no confirmation of a twister touching down.
“Whether you see a tornado or not, it’s still going to be a strong thunderstorm that is likely going to be rolling through,” CityNews meteorologist Adam Stiles predicted earlier Wednesday.
Luckily, we escaped the ravages of a tornado, but Stiles sill advised Torontonians to be prepared.
“Ontario averages 11 or 12 tornadoes a year, so it’s not that uncommon. Have a plan, know where you need to go and that plan should include making sure you are inside a sturdy structure, you are away from the windows, you are in the lowest level of that structure.
“If you have a basement, that’s the best spot to be when you hear a tornado warning has been issued.”
A deadly tornado struck Goderich on Sunday afternoon, killing one person and injuring at least 37 others. The province has pledged $5 million in relief money to help rebuild the devastated town.
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