Fierce downpours wreak havoc in GTA with blackouts, flooding
Posted July 8, 2013 4:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Heavy downpours jolted the GTA just after 5 p.m on Monday with flash flooding, blackouts and public transit disruptions wreaking havoc throughout the region.
The entire TTC subway system came to halt during the heart of the evening rush, with all trains holding due to numerous signal and power issues. Service has resumed at some stations, but has been halted at the following:
- Downsview to St. Clair West
- Osgoode to Bloor
- Lawrence to Finch
- Jane to Kipling
- Sheppard Line
Enersource says approximately 80 per cent of Mississauga was without power at one point, but it is being restored. Power is expected to be returned to the remaining 50-thousands customers in the dark around midnight.
Toronto Hydro says 250,000 customers are in the dark throughout the city, and Powerstream initially reported 20,000 customers without electricity in Markham and Richmond Hill, but all power has been restored to the area. About 2,000 customers in Woodbridge remain without power.
Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in effect for Halton/Peel but have been lifted for Toronto and York/Durham. Environment Canada said some parts of the GTA have already been hammered by more 90 mm of rain, and the total could top 100 mm by night’s end.
A Richmond Hill line GO Train was flooded, with hundreds stranded onboard. Rescue efforts lasted for several hours to safely get the people off the train.
“There’s a full-on river on either side of us… We. Are. Stuck. Hard,” passenger Jonah Cait tweeted.
Metrolinx spokeswoman Vanessa Thomas told the Canadian Press the power was shut off and windows opened for ventilation on the double-decker train, which can carry up to 1,900 commuters during the evening rush.
Metrolinx said the Toronto Police marine rescue unit had arrived on scene about three and a-half hours after the train got stuck and was beginning to evacuate passengers, starting with those who had medical issues.
Police say all passengers were successfully rescued just before 1 a.m.
The Toronto Region Conservation Authority said they had received a report that the banks of the Don River were at risk of collapse in the Hoggs Hollow area near Yonge Street and York Mills Road. Officers attend the location and said the banks showed no sign of collapse.
Emergency services and police advise the public to remain in their homes, avoid underpasses and low-lying areas. The heavy rains led to severe flooding in basements and on city streets — with knee-deep water at Yonge and St. Clair, Eglinton Ave., near Bayview, and on parts of the DVP, especially near Dundas Street.
Square One mall in Mississauga has been evacuated after flooding. There are also reports of heavy flooding in Richmond Hill.
Some flights coming into Pearson Airport were being diverted to Hamilton and Porter has cancelled all flights out of Billy Bishop Airport for the evening due to power outages in the terminal.
With files from The Canadian Press
