Posted July 16, 2024 10:36 am.
Last Updated July 17, 2024 5:29 am.
Many roadways and some Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) stations were flooded on Tuesday as strong thunderstorms brought torrential downpours to Toronto and much of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
A rainfall warning was issued for Toronto, as Environment Canada warned of 125 millimetres of rain throughout the morning and afternoon. Canada’s weather agency said 40 millimetres of rain fell within the hour in some localized areas.
This forced the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)to upgrade its flood watch to a flood warning just before noon.
“The TRCA advises that Environment Canada is forecasting extremely heavy rain for the City of Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, Halton Hills — Milton, which are tracking eastward over southern Ontario from Tuesday morning into Tuesday evening with the potential to bring heavy rainfall amounts 125 mm in short periods of time,” the TRCA said.
“Total rainfall amounts will vary across the TRCA jurisdiction. Some of the TRCA watersheds have already received 10-70 mm of rain over the 3 hours. As a result, some low-lying areas have been flooded.”
Lanes were blocked on the westbound and eastbound portions of Lake Shore Boulevard from Newfoundland Road to beyond Ontario Drive. Lake Shore Boulevard was closed for several hours in both directions from British Columbia Road to Strachan Avenue.
Related:
- Toronto gets more than a month’s worth of rain in a few hours amid rainfall warning
“We’re receiving a high volume of 911 calls about the flooding in some areas of the city,” Toronto Police wrote on X. “911 is for emergencies involving serious medical problems or life-threatening situations.”
Toronto Fire says it received nearly 1,700 calls for service and was dispatched to almost 500 incidents between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., including over 50 elevator rescue calls, over 50 water calls, and over 20 people rescued from cars and buildings.
Meanwhile, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) confirmed that approximately 20 schools were without power following the storm, and some schools may also be impacted by flooding.
The TDSB says parents of students attending a summer school program, camp, or child care program in a school on Wednesday will hear directly from the program operator as early as possible in the morning should there be any impacts to program operations.
Water leaks through ceilings at Toronto City Hall
The southbound Don Valley Parkway (DVP) is closed from Bayview Avenue to the Gardiner Expressway.
The Gardiner Expressway west of Jarvis Street is almost entirely flooded, and reports indicate that Cherry and Yonge Streets were also greatly impacted by significant amounts of water in the area. Major flooding was also reported on the westbound portion of Highway 401 west of Highway 400 in the express.
Even Toronto celebrities had to deal with the consequences of the torrential downpours. Rap superstar Drake posted a video on social media of massive flooding, presumed to be in his Bridle Path mansion.
Photos of flooding:
![Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (1) Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (1)](https://i0.wp.com/toronto.citynews.ca/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/10/2024/07/Chris-Pereira-edited.jpeg)
![Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (2) Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (2)](https://i0.wp.com/toronto.citynews.ca/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/10/2024/07/16/flooding2.jpg)
![Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (3) Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (3)](https://i0.wp.com/toronto.citynews.ca/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/10/2024/07/16/flooding.jpg)
![Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (4) Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (4)](https://i0.wp.com/toronto.citynews.ca/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/10/2024/07/16/Rain-on-Bloor-6-1024x576.png)
![Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (5) Toronto, GTA impacted by major flooding (5)](https://i0.wp.com/toronto.citynews.ca/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/10/2024/07/16/thumbnail_IMG_6407-1024x576.jpg)
TTC stations, GTA roadways affected by heavy rain
Several TTC stations were forced to close on Tuesday morning due to heavy rain, but all service has resumed.
GO Transit stated that some services were modified or delayed due to weather conditions. Delays, cancellations, and modifications are expected.
“In areas where there may be pooling water, please use extra caution and report any safety issues to staff on-site or by texting ‘help’ to 77777,” GO Transit said. “Your safety is our priority, and we will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates to your service as changes are made.”
Mississauga Fire Services said crews responded to an elevated number of emergency incidents related to flooding on Tuesday, while Peel Regional Police said authorities received reports of manhole covers lifting due to the volume of rain and advised motorists to be cautious.
Halton Regional Police noted that Guelph Line between Dundas Street and No. 1 Side Road was forced to close on Tuesday morning and urged motorists to use alternate routes.
Heavy rain experienced on Monday also caused similar flooding concerns across Toronto, affecting the Don Valley Parkway at Dundas Street, Lake Shore Boulevard at Rees Street, and Ontario Place.
The flooding has also affected Billy Bishop Airport after the pedestrian tunnel flooded, forcing its closure.
Tweets
Drake’s mansion looks to have been flooded via his IG Story ???? pic.twitter.com/uzHnExgToB
— Wost???? (@mosthiphop) July 16, 2024
We’re receiving a high volume of 911 calls about the flooding in some areas of the city. 911 is for emergencies involving serious medical problems or life-threatening situations.
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) July 16, 2024
If the matter is not urgent, contact 311 for city services or report online, https://t.co/La2EmLoTYU. pic.twitter.com/gBDCMlv2jM
HAZARD:
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 16, 2024
Bayview Ave / River St @TPS55Div @TPS51Div
– Flooding in the area
Expect delays.
Use an alternative route.
ROAD CLOSURE:
Bayview Ave from River St to just north of Queen St E in both directions.#GO1550562
^CdK
— Mississauga Fire (@MississaugaFES) July 16, 2024Mississauga Fire is responding to an elevated number of emergency incidents related to flooding.
☎️ Please call 9-1-1 for emergencies only.
➡️Please be careful and exercise caution. pic.twitter.com/S267tiWLw3
HAZARD:
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 16, 2024
DVP @TPS55Div @TPS51Div
– Flooding in the area
Expect delays.
Use an alternative route.
ROAD CLOSURE:
southbound DVP from Bayview Avenue to Gardiner Expressway#GO1550721
^CdK
— York Regional Police (@YRP) July 16, 2024TRAFFIC HAZARD ALERT
Please avoid the following areas due to flooding:
– Pine Valley Drive and Embassy Drive
– Victoria Park Avenue and Steeles Avenue
– Woodbine Avenue and Denison Street
– Steeles Avenue and Highway 404As always, please drive with caution during inclement…
Line 2 Bloor-Danforth: Trains are not stopping at Pape due to flooding.
— TTC Service Alerts (@TTCnotices) July 16, 2024
Line 1 Yonge-University: Trains are not stopping at Spadina due to flooding.
— TTC Service Alerts (@TTCnotices) July 16, 2024
We have reports of multiple locations across the GTA with Highways flooding due to the heavy rain. Please drive to the conditions, slow down and put your full headlight system on. ^ss
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) July 16, 2024
TRAFFIC ALERT:
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) July 16, 2024
-You may have noticed its RAINING !!!!
-we have had reports of manhole covers lifting due to the volume of rain
-be cautious when driving today!!
-remember to use your full head light system
-if you see a manhole cover displaced
-call 3-1-1 or 905-453-3311
TRAFFIC/FLOODING ALERT
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) July 16, 2024
– Numerous roads within the Region have flooded
– Please avoid these areas, particularly under overpasses and low-lying places
– If your vehicle is surrounded by water, exit the vehicle ASAP
– Do NOT return to your vehicle to collect personal belongings
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