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Toronto Flooding: 300,000 Without Power, Residents Trapped On Train

By Désirée Fawn
Published on: 14:44 PST, Jul 8, 2013

Toronto flooding has left more than 300,000 residents without power.

Hundreds of thousands of Toronto, Ontario residents are without power after as much as 90 millimetres of rain drenched the city within just a few hours, beginning around 4 pm.

CTV reports subway service has been shut down along many of Toronto’s busy lines, while power outages trapped some trains in tunnels until passengers could be rescued.

Emergency crews, including the Toronto Police Marine Unit, are in the process of rescuing between 1,000 and 1,400 people trapped on a GO Train, near Bayview Avenue and Pottery Road. The train, en route to Richmond Hill, became stuck and partially submerged in the floodwaters around 7:30 pm Monday evening.

Passengers aboard the train have crowded the top flood in an attempt to avoid the flooded lower levels. According to Toronto Police spokesperson Constable Wendy Drummond, rescue workers are prioritizing anyone on board with medical issues.

As of 10 pm Monday evening, efforts are still being made to transport all passengers to safety.

Those trapped on the flooded GO Train have opened emergency windows in order to let air into the overflowing cars.

Several major traffic lines around the Greater Toronto Area have been closed, including the Don Valley Parkway between Highway 401 and the Gardiner Expressway. All flights have been cancelled out of Billy Bishop Airport, as well as many delays and cancellations at Pearson International Airport.

Toronto Police issued a news release, urging the public to “remain in their homes, avoid underpasses and low-lying areas”.

“If in a stalled vehicle, please remain in your vehicle if possible until help arrives.”

Mayor Rob Ford also took to Twitter with the following message:

“Be advised that we are experiencing heavy rain that may cause flooding across the city. Staff are monitoring the situation very closely. Please exercise caution, report flooding and avoid flooded areas. Staff will respond to reports of localized flooding as required.”

Monday’s rainfall has far surpassed the city’s one-day rainfall record of 29.2 millimetres, set back in 2008.

The Toronto flooding comes just over two weeks after Calgary floods devastated Southern Alberta.

[Image via Twitter]

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