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Severe weather in parts of southern Ontario is leading to various impacts from flooded roads in Toronto, school closures in the cottage country region to power outages in Barrie, Ont.
“Significant” rainfall up to 40 millimetres is expected across parts of southern Ontario Wednesday, with some areas possibly receiving more due to thunderstorms, said a yellow level warning from Environment Canada.
An additional warning for freezing rain was issued for some areas, including Kawartha Lakes, Ont., for Wednesday morning.
Several roads in Toronto are flooding due to heavy rainfall, according to the Toronto police on social media.
Drivers passing through the following roadways are cautioned to go slowly and take 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.
Police also warned residents steer clear from rivers and creeks, which are “flowing faster than normal” due to snowmelt and heavy rains.
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 in effect for Toronto. The city could see 20 to 40 millimetres of rain, Environment Canada says. CBC Toronto’s meteorologist Colette Kennedy explains.
Streetcars are not servicing the Dufferin Loop due to weather-related flooding, said the TTC. Instead streetcars, such as the 504 King line, will take detours around the area.
A TTC spokesperson said water pooling in the area has made it unsafe for streetcars to pass through.
School closures, power outages outside the GTA
About 2960 homes and businesses in Barrie are without power Wednesday morning due to a severe thunderstorm, according to Alectra Utilities on social media.
It said crews are working to bring power back sometime between 10 a.m. and noon.
Meanwhile all schools, child care centres and facilities with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board are closed due to ongoing freezing rain. The school board services students in Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton and Muskoka.
“We hope students will take this opportunity to catch up on work, or read/listen to a good book,” said TLDSB communications manager Carolynne Bull in an email to parents.
She said schools will not be moving to online learning for the day.
