Kathy Stiliadis waits for a firefighter to help her out of her car after heavy rains hit Toronto on Tuesday morning.
In a striking reminder of the 2013 storm, Toronto was drenched again by a massive downpour on Tuesday morning. Over the course of just a few hours, the city received an overwhelming 126 millimeters of rain, causing widespread flooding and significant disruptions.
As the rain poured down, roads quickly turned into rivers. Drivers abandoned their cars, and subway station staircases became impromptu waterfalls. The Don Valley Parkway (DVP), a key north-south route, was submerged as the Don River overflowed its banks. The flooding stranded a GO Transit commuter train with 1,400 passengers onboard, and nearly 300,000 residents were left without power.
Firefighters assist a stranded driver. Torrential rains hit Toronto on Tuesday morning, leaving many motorists stuck on the flooded DVP. (Photo credit: Toronto Star)
Eleven years and eight days after the historic flood of 2013, Toronto faced a similar crisis. The rain began around 9 a.m., surprising many commuters. After a brief lull, a more intense storm system hit less than an hour later, continuing into the afternoon. Power outages soon followed, adding to the city's woes.
Photos and videos of the flooding quickly spread across social media, showing scenes of chaos: Union Station submerged, the DVP and city streets flooded, and cars abandoned in rising waters. GO Transit temporarily halted service as tracks became impassable.
Heavy rains hit Toronto on Tuesday morning, leaving many drivers stranded on the DVP, which was completely flooded at Dundas Street. (Photo credit: Toronto Star)
The storm highlighted the ongoing challenge Toronto faces in adapting to severe weather. After the 2013 flood, there was much discussion about improving the city's resilience to such events, given the increasing impact of climate change. However, Tuesday's storm suggests that more work is needed.
Experts like Kathryn Bakos from the University of Waterloo’s Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation emphasize that climate change is making these severe weather events more frequent and intense. Rising temperatures lead to more moisture in the atmosphere, resulting in heavier rainfall over shorter periods.
But climate change isn't the only issue. Toronto's aging infrastructure, which wasn't designed to handle such extreme conditions, also plays a role. The city's concrete jungle effect—replacing natural sponges like wetlands with impermeable surfaces—exacerbates the problem.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow acknowledged the reality of climate change and the need for stronger preventive measures. She highlighted that the city is working on infrastructure improvements and providing incentives for homeowners to prevent flooding.
Despite these efforts, Toronto is still facing a significant infrastructure deficit. The city is $26 billion and more than 10 years behind in necessary upgrades, even as it redirects funds from other projects..
Approximately 100 millimeters of rain fell, causing widespread road closures and transit delays as the city grapples with the aftermath.
A GO Train was stuck in floodwater during a huge rainstorm that hit Toronto in July 2013. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)
Road Closures
The heavy rainfall resulted in the closure of several major roadways:
- Highway 410 Southbound at Highway 401
- Highway 403 Eastbound at Highway 401 and 410
- Don Valley Parkway between York Mills Road and the Gardiner Expressway
- Gardiner Expressway Eastbound at Lower Jarvis Street
- Bayview Avenue from Pottery Road to River Street
- Convair Drive between Britannia Road East and Flightline Drive in both directions
Authorities have also advised residents to avoid Lake Shore Boulevard near Ontario Place, the westbound Bloor Viaduct bike lanes, Bayview Avenue at Nesbitt Drive, as well as Wilson and Bridge Streets. The flooding has left many people stranded in their vehicles as water levels rose rapidly.
TTC Service Updates
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) services have been significantly impacted by the flooding:
- Regular subway services have resumed at Union, Lawrence West, and Yorkdale stations.
- Trains are not stopping at Glencairn Station due to a power failure.
- Elevators and escalators at Union, St. Patrick, and Pape stations are out of service, making them inaccessible.
- On Line 2, service between Islington and Jane stations has resumed after earlier power issues halted trains.
GO Transit Delays
GO Transit has also faced delays due to weather-related track conditions:
- The heavy rainfall has slowed the ground's ability to absorb water, leading to flooding that is impacting services.
- Delays, modifications, and cancellations are expected for the evening commute, with Metrolinx working to keep passengers moving.
- UP Express trains are operating at all stations, including Union, but significant delays are still expected as services return to normal.
Airport and Flight Information
Toronto Pearson Airport has remained accessible despite the closure of Convair Drive, although it has made car access more challenging. Flights to and from Pearson have not been affected. However, Billy Bishop Airport has warned passengers about potential delays and advised them to check their flight status with their airlines. Additionally, the pedestrian tunnel at Billy Bishop is closed due to flooding, and all passengers and staff are being redirected to the ferry.
