Flooding on DVP causing some people to abandon their cars

Posted on July 16, 2024

There are widespread reports of flooding across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), with Environment Canada confirming that up to 125 mm of rainfall, at rates of 40 mm an hour, could take place in the city throughout Tuesday afternoon before tapering off.

“The ground, already near saturation, has little ability to absorb further rainfall,” the agency stated on their website, warning people to consider moving valuable items to higher levels and to keep children and pets away from creeks and river banks.

“Rapidly rising rivers and creeks can sweep away bridges, culverts, buildings, and people. Abandon stalled cars if water is rising rapidly,” the agency added.

Residents are apparently following the agency’s advice, as photos and videos on X are appearing of the DVP — as well as parts of downtown Toronto — underwater as a result of the heavy rain, causing some people to abandon their cars.

Pearson Airport recorded 97.41 mm of rain in a three-and-a-half-hour period during Tuesday’s storm.

“During a 10-minute span, we recorded 26 mm of rain,” they added.

The TTC is also affected, with no service between St George and King on Line 1 Yonge-University and between Kipling and Jane on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth on Tuesday afternoon due to a power failure as a result of  the heavy rain. Subways aren’t stopping at St. Patrick, Pape, and Lawrence stations due to flooding and the escalators and elevators at Pape Station are shut down.

Video on X shows water leaking through the floor at Union Station.

Users also shared video of water flooding the Lawrence TTC platform.

Toronto Hydro said that they’re responding to “widespread outages” due to a loss of supply affecting large areas throughout the city. It’s estimated that more than  165,000 people are without power.

“We’re currently working with @HydroOne to restore power. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding” the company stated on X.

Toronto Police are warning of multiple road closures as a result of the flooding, including the southbound DVP from Bayview Avenue to the Gardiner Expressway, Bayview Ave from River St to just north of Queen St E in both directions, and Lake Shore Blvd from British Columbia Rd to Strachan Ave in both directions.

If Toronto gets up to 125 millimetres, it would be nearly equal to the worst rainfall the city has ever seen. The record took place on July 9, 2013, when Toronto received 126 millimetres in a day, which led to extensive flooding.