Lovely winter we’re having this spring
Toronto is now under flood watch due to these hazardous April showers
After a weekend storm brought the city to its knees with freezing rain pellets and gusting winds causing hundreds of collisions and power outtages, Toronto is now under a flood watch. Toronto police reported downed trees and power lines, which caused multiple power outages throughout the city, and on Sunday evening almost 11,000 people were without power, according to Toronto Hydro.
Hydro One said crews were busy restoring power to more than 7,000 customers on Saturday and more than 42,000 customers on Sunday across southern Ontario.
On Sunday afternoon, Environment Canada issued a wind warning, for winds gusting up to 100 km/h, along with a freezing rain and heavy rainfall warning.
Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt warned Monday morning commuters to stay alert and slow down as there’s a possibility of flooding with rainfall totalling 25 to 35 mm forecast into Monday afternoon.
The city has been under a flood watch since Saturday and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) said the main time for a concern of flooding wa0s Sunday night into Monday.
After two days of freezing rain and ice pellets that left roads and sidewalks slippery and treacherous, Schmidt said this weekend was “crazy” as police responded to more than 1,400 collisions in the GTA and surrounding areas.
“People are losing control very often and they panic when they hit the snow, they aggressively swerve or steer and they lose control,” said Schmidt, adding that most of the collisions were minor fender-benders.
Many streets were not plowed this weekend, Mayor John Tory said at a Sunday media briefing, because the temperature is forecast to rise well above freezing this week.
Tory said the city’s priority would be salting roads, which lessens slippery conditions without boosting the chances of flooding.
He said that despite slowdowns on the roads, the city was dealing with weather conditions.
Hopefully this is the last of winter’s grip on Toronto as the forecast looks like it’s going to be slightly warmer for the coming week.
The rain will continue into Monday afternoon with a daytime high of 9 C and a UV index of five, which is moderate.
The rest of the week’s temperatures are forecast to be above zero temperatures with a mix of sun and cloud along with a chance of light rain or flurries.
With files from Alexandra Jones, Bryann Aguilar and The Canadian Press