Severe thunderstorms battered the Greater Toronto Area on Wednesday, causing widespread flooding and significant transit disruptions. While the Don Valley Parkway has since reopened, emergency crews continue to manage the aftermath of what officials described as a once-in-a-century weather event .
A 1,500-call surge that rivaled the 2013 ice storm
Toronto's emergency services faced an unprecedented workload as a massive thunderstorm swept through the region on Wednesday. Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop reported that crews responded to nearly 1,500 calls within a 24-hour window, marking the second-highest daily call volume since the 2013 ice storm. At the height of the crisis, the city's emergency response system was stretched to its limits, with more than 400 active 911 calls waiting for assistance at one point.
The nature of the calls reflected the violence of the storm, ranging from structure fires and elevator entrapments to water rescues and partial building collapses.. Police and paramedics were required to assist firefighters in high-angle rescues following the collapse of scaffolding. In one of the most harrowing incidents, emergency responders had to rescue motorists who became trapped in a low-lying underpass as water rushed into the road network.
The 6,000 residents still facing power outages
Utility crews are working to stabilize the electrical grid after the storm knocked out power for thousands across the Greater Toronto Area. According to the report, Dan Smart of Toronto Hydro confirmed that while 90 per cent of customers have regained electricity, approximately 6,000 people remain without power. This recovery effort follows a period of intense and varied rainfall across the region.
Data from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) shows the storm's intensity varied significantly by location. While the Toronto east end recorded 54.4 millimetres of rain, other areas saw much higher totals, including 62.5 millimetres in Mississauga and a staggering 92.5 millimetres in Bolton, Ontario. as the city recovers, all lanes of the Don Valley Parkway have finally reopened between Bloor Street and the Gardiner Expressway, providing a critical relief for commuters.
Flooded TTC buses and the closure of Evergreen Brick Works
The storm's physical impact was visible across the city's transit and recreational infrastructure. As reported by the source, floodwaters were seen flowing over the floor of a TTC bus, and the Evergreen Brick Works, located adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway, was forced to close on Thursday due to flooding. The site has restricted access from Bayview, cancelled events, and closed its Picnic Cafe.
While TTC CEO Mandeep Lali credited dispatchers and staff for maintaining service despite the chaos, the transit system did experience significant disruptions. Some "pinch points" remained at Union and St Patrick stations, and the agency's website suffered temporary outages due to power issues. Beyond the city core, the storm's destructive winds even blew the roof off a building in Brampton.
The looming risk of sewage bypasses at Toronto's beaches
While the immediate flooding has subsided, significant environmental questions remain regarding the city's water management and public safety. City Manager Paul Johnson described the event as a "100-year storm," noting that rainfall levels reached up to 110 millimetres in certain areas.
The primary concern for residents now involves the safety of local waterways. Paul Johnson warned that Toronto's beaches may be affected this coming weekend because water and sewage treatment plants were forced to go on bypass during the deluge. It remains to be seen how long these bypasses will remain in effect and what the long-term impact on water quality will be for those visiting the shoreline.
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