The thunderstorm lingering over metropolitan Toronto caused flooding and left hundreds of thousands without power on Monday, it was reported.
Mayor Rob Ford said that between 1.1 inches and 1.5 inches have fallen. “The worst of the storm is over but there is more to come. Please be vigilant,” he tweeted.
He said that for people whose homes were damaged, they can call 311.
Significant rainfall caused power outages and flooding “across the city,” and the banks of the Don River are overflowing, according to the Toronto Police Department. There are areas of the river that are threatening to collapse.
“We are monitoring the situation very closely,“ said Mayor Ford. ”Crews are addressing issues across the city. Please stay in place and avoid flooded areas.”
His feed also said there was flooding at “Union Station and GO [Train] platform.” The GO Train is evacuating passengers on the Richmond Hill line and looking at alternative transport options for passengers on other lines.
Broadcaster CBC reported that 300,000 people were without power due to the storm. Pictures shared on Twitter showed heavy flooding on roadways, making it impossible to move in some areas. The Northbound Don Valley Parkway is closed between Bayview Avenue and the Gardiner Expressway.
Many people on Twitter said that travel was heavily delayed, with some saying it took them several hours to get from one location to another in the city.
“Okay so is the flooding in Toronto supposed to stop anytime soon or is it becoming the new Atlantis,” wrote user Jennifer Fritz.
“Stay safe Toronto. Haven’t heard from boyf, no electricity, no signal,” another user, Sheena Osmena, wrote.
Downtown hotels were offering deals to people stranded by the storm, according to a Toronto Police Department Twitter account. Another department account said some traffic intersections have lights out and cautioned residents to stay alert and drive safely.
Note: Updates on public transit can be found on the Toronto Transit Commission and GO Transit websites.
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