Toronto thunderstorm cleanup continues after rescues, power outages and over 1,000 emergency calls
Toronto is undergoing cleanup efforts following a severe thunderstorm that caused flooding, power outages, and over 1,000 emergency calls. City officials confirmed that infrastructure is being restored and public services are returning to normal.
Why it matters
The event highlights the increasing impact of extreme weather on urban infrastructure and the necessity of emergency preparedness in major cities.
The intense weather Wednesday brought torrential rain, large hail and the risk of a tornado to wide swaths of southern Ontario as skies darkened over downtown Toronto and hail slammed neighbourhoods further north.
Video on social media showed large hail falling and downpours flooding vehicles and bus stations, sending people running for cover.
According to Toronto police, officers received about 300 calls reporting downed power lines within the last 24 hours.
In an update Thursday morning, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow thanked city crews and first responders for their swift response. Chow said Toronto fire responded to over 1,000 calls related to the storm.
"The storm has passed, and I want to assure the people of Toronto we were prepared," she said. "We will keep working until every road is cleared and every resident has power back."
IN PHOTOS | Scenes from severe thunderstorm
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