Torrential Rains Paralyze Toronto: Power Outages, Travel Chaos & Flooding

Torrential rain triggered flash floods in Toronto, causing power outages, traffic disruptions, and flight cancellations. Affected areas included Billy Bishop Airport and the Don Valley Parkway. The city's infrastructure struggled to cope, emphasizing the strain of climate change. Mayor Olivia Chow reassured that emergency services remained operational.

Torrential rain on Tuesday unleashed flash flooding in Toronto, Canada's financial heart, leading to widespread power outages, traffic disarray, and flight cancellations.

Toronto Hydro, the local power company, reported that 123,000 customers were without power due to flooding at a transmission station. Billy Bishop Airport suspended services temporarily as its pedestrian tunnel was inundated. Downtown eateries went dark, and traffic chaos ensued with vehicles stalled on streets and intersections at a standstill. Weather experts link such severe storms to climate change, straining infrastructure not built for such deluges.

The Toronto Transit System halted trains at Union Station, and the Go Transit encountered disruptions. The Don Valley Parkway transformed into a river, leaving cars submerged. One stranded commuter, Brandon Rolle, waited two hours for rescue. However, Mayor Olivia Chow assured in a televised briefing that emergency services were functional despite minor flooding in City Hall. Trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange remained unaffected.

(With inputs from agencies.)