A powerful thunderstorm hit Toronto on Wednesday, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and large hail that damaged buildings, closed roads and cut power to tens of thousands of residents.
Toronto Hydro said at least 45,000 customers were without electricity as of 8 p.m. Wednesday (00:00 GMT Thursday). The storm brought down trees and caused flooding that prompted road closures, including on the Don Valley Parkway, CBC reported. Michael Garron Hospital in East York said its emergency department was affected by flooding.
Dozens of flights set to depart Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday evening were delayed or cancelled. Mayor Olivia Chow said on X that the city’s emergency operations centre had been activated since Wednesday morning and that crews were responding to downed power wires, fallen trees and flooding.
Environment and Climate Change Canada lifted an orange severe thunderstorm warning for the Greater Toronto Area, but a yellow alert warning of heat and severe thunderstorms remained in place over parts of southwestern Ontario.
Sources: Al Jazeera.
