Severe weather in parts of southern Ontario has resulted in flooded streets in Toronto, school closures in cottage country, and power outages in Barrie, Ont.
“Significant” rainfall up to 40 millimetres is anticipated across several areas of the region on Wednesday, with some locations potentially receiving more due to thunderstorms, according to a yellow level warning from Environment Canada.
The rain is expected to ease off Wednesday afternoon in southwestern Ontario and later that evening for regions further east, the warning states.
An additional alert for freezing rain was issued for certain areas, including Kawartha Lakes, Ont., for Wednesday morning.
Numerous roads in Toronto are also experiencing flooding due to heavy rains, as reported by Toronto police on social media.
Drivers using the following roadways should proceed cautiously and allow extra time for travel:
Gardiner Expressway near York Street in Toronto. Lawrence Avenue E. and Railside Road in North York. Birchmount Road and Huntingwood Drive in Scarborough. Northline Road and O’Connor Drive in East York.
Authorities also advised residents to keep away from rivers and creeks, which are “flowing faster than normal” because of melting snow and heavy rainfall.
WATCH | What does the weather warning mean for Toronto?:
Toronto could see up to 40 mm of rain: Environment Canada
A yellow level rainfall warning is currently active for Toronto. The city might receive between 20 and 40 millimetres of rain, according to Environment Canada. CBC Toronto’s meteorologist Colette Kennedy explains.
The TTC announced that streetcars are not operating at the Dufferin Loop downtown because of flooding caused by weather conditions. Instead, streetcars like the 504 King line will be detoured around that area.
A TTC representative mentioned that water pooling made it unsafe for streetcars to navigate through.
This morning, school buses across Toronto, Peel, and York Region experienced delays of up to 60 minutes.
A “watershed conditions statement – flood outlook” remains valid until Thursday at 11 p. m., due to potential flooding in low-lying regions caused by rainfall and ongoing snowmelt, stated Afiya Jilani from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority on Wednesday.
She explained that a flood outlook is issued when riverine flooding “is possible or expected.” Flooding on roadways falls under municipal management and should be reported accordingly, added Jilani.
Environment Canada issued weather warnings regarding rainfall and freezing rain affecting parts of southern Ontario on Wednesday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
School Closures and Power Outages Outside the GTA
The eastbound lanes of Highway 401 at Holt Road approaching Bowmanville Avenue have been closed due to “numerous” accidents and flooding on the roadway as per Ontario Provincial Police updates via social media.
Potholes may be hidden beneath puddles of standing water which could harm vehicles warned OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt during a video posted online.
“Avoid the puddles if you can; watch out very carefully for changing conditions,” he noted while advising drivers to control their speed so they don’t hydroplane on wet surfaces.
Around 1,172 homes and businesses were without power Wednesday morning in Barrie due to three separate outages reported by Ashely Trgachef from Alectra Utilities.
Two out of these three outages were attributed to weather issues while one was caused by a tree falling onto electrical equipment,” she explained.
Around 4,016 properties were initially affected but service was restored partially,” said Trgachef. They expect full restoration sometime between 2 p. m. and 4 p. m., according to their update on social media.
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This week might feel warmer in Toronto , but don’t put your winter jackets away just yet. CBC Toronto’s meteorologist Colette Kennedy shares what you needto know about another blastofwinterweather headingourwaythismonth.
Around29 ,970 Hydro One customersarewithoutpowerbecauseofweather-relatedissues throughouttheprovince , said spokesperson Bianca Pizzo.
Powerrestoration timeswillvary as crews assess damageandcontinue workingthroughthestorm , shesaid. Pizzo notedthat Hydro One’s liveoutagemapwillprovideupdateson repairsandnewoutages.
Somecrews have faced challenges accessing sitesfor repairsbecauseoffloodedoricyroads.
Meanwhile , all schools , child care centresand facilities withthe Trillium Lakelands District School Board(TLDSB)havebeenclosedduetoongoingfreezingrain. The schoolboardserves studentsin Kawartha Lakes, Hali burtonand Muskoka.
“We hope studentswilltake thisopportunity tocatchuponworkorread/listento agoodbook,”said TLDSB communicationsmanager Carolynne Bull inanemailto parents.
Sheaddedthat schoolswon’tmoveonlinelearningforthisday.
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