A tree was uprooted after strong winds reaching 100 km/h hit Toronto on April 29. CTV
Thousands of people in Toronto lost power as strong winds hit the city. Gusts reached up to 80 km/h, causing damage and outages across many areas on Tuesday.
The storm moved in with heavy winds from the southwest. By evening, many homes and businesses had no electricity. Power crews rushed to respond to the problems.
Officials say several power lines fell during the storm. A spokesperson said crews are working in many areas. The time to get power back varies depending on the location.
According to the power outage map, some homes may stay without power until Wednesday morning.
Environment Canada had earlier warned people about possible thunderstorms. The warning was later lifted, but a special weather notice stayed in place.
The agency said the winds could throw loose objects, which may cause injuries or damage. Drivers, especially those in larger vehicles, faced difficult conditions due to strong side winds.
The weather also disrupted some events in the city. Rain began falling just before the Toronto Maple Leafs were set to face the Ottawa Senators in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Scotiabank Arena asked fans to leave the tailgate area due to bad weather. The space reopened after the rain stopped.
Earlier in the day, emergency crews rushed to St. Clair Avenue and Avenue Road. A tree branch fell on a woman, causing critical injuries. Police believe the high winds may have caused the branch to snap.
Experts say people should stay alert during storms. Strong winds can turn simple things like garden chairs into dangerous flying objects.
To stay safe, tie down or bring inside anything that might blow away. Keep a weather app on your phone to check for storm warnings.
Thunderstorm watches often come a few hours before a storm hits. That gives people some time to prepare.
Weather experts say the worst part of the storm should move into New York after 9 p.m.
Colder air will follow the storm. Temperatures dropped from 25°C on Tuesday afternoon to about 2°C by Wednesday morning.
Looking ahead, Thursday and Friday might bring more showers. Rain could continue into Saturday morning. But the good news is that Sunday is expected to be sunny.
Crews are still working across Toronto to clear damage and restore power. Residents are advised to stay cautious and avoid any fallen wires or broken branches.
