Severe winds blast the GTA bringing power outages, broken trees
Posted March 3, 2012 9:16 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Even if you haven’t stepped outside, chances are you heard the howl of the strong winds blasting areas of the Greater Toronto Area.
The same storm system that has pounded the United States is now affecting Canada, and it’s the kind of wind you can feel inside your home or car.
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for a large area which includes the GTA and much of southern Ontario.
The storm system is triggering sustained winds of 60 km/h with gusts up to 90 km/h or more, according to Environment Canada.
Gusts of over 90 km/h were registered Saturday morning at Billy Bishop, Toronto’s island airport.
With the strong winds comes damage, from downed power lines to tree branches and signs, and even some traffic lights.
“We’re just on our way to hockey practice, and right in the middle of the intersection, of Church and Bayly in Ajax, we saw a massive traffic light right in the middle of the intersection,” said one 680News listener.
One woman told 680News the wind was so powerful it actually blew her window in.
There were also widespread reports of power outages in the city, the GTA, Barrie, Peterborough and London, to name a few.
Early Saturday morning Toronto Hydro said they were aware of the outages in pockets around the city and were working to restore all power. Hydro also warned that people should stay back from any downed wires as they may be live.
The winds are expected to ease by Saturday afternoon.
