Toronto Alerts: Update on Flooding Impacts & Emergency Services July 8-9, 2013

This video presents “Toronto Flooding 2013 | Flood in Toronto, Ontario July 2013.”

  • “Severe thunderstorms that have caused flooding and power outages around the city Monday will likely exceed 100 mm of total rainfall before it tapers off later this evening, according to Environment Canada.
  • Meteorologists from Environment Canada are tracking a slow moving cluster of thunderstorms capable of producing localized flash flooding.
  • The amount of rainfall has beaten the previous one-day rainfall record of 29.2 mm in 2008 and trounced the roughly 70 mm monthly average for July.
  • The thunderstorms are over the Mississauga and Brampton regions and moving slowly eastward toward Markham, Richmond Hill and Toronto.“

Regarding the flash flooding of the City of Toronto, there are some important  updates on flooding impacts and emergency services in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The severe rainstorm of July 8, 2013 resulted in the following effects:

  • Flash flooding in the City of Toronto due to intense rainfall amounts

    • over 90 mm have been reported in parts of the Greater Toronto Area so far.

    • As of 10:45 p.m. Environment Canada advises that all weather warnings across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) have been ended.

  • However, there is subsequent power outage.
    • Approximately 300,000 people are without power in Toronto.

City of Toronto provides the following advice for these emergencies:

  • Residents are advised to avoid travel and asked to check in on elderly neighbours or those who may need assistance.
  • Please be reminded that 9-1-1 is an emergency number.
  • Please use the non-emergency police number 416-808-2222 for non-life threatening situations.
  • There are critical steps to take in the event of a flooded basement.
    1. Call the City of Toronto at 311 to report a blocked basement drain or sewer back-up, or for information or assistance with a blocked drain, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.
      • During this extreme weather event residents should expect high call volumes.
      • Calls will be answered by the first available agent.
    2. Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report property damage caused by flooding.
    3. Be mindful of your health and safety when cleaning up a flooded basement.
  • The safety tips during a power outage are as follows:
    • Report a power outage by calling Toronto Hydro-Electric System’s Lights Out number at 416-542-8000.
    1. Unplug or turn off all appliances to avoid possible damage when power resumes.
    2. Turn off water to the clothes washer and dishwasher if they are in use when the power goes out.
    3. Leave a light or radio on so you will know when power is restored.
    4. When power has been restored, check all fuses to ensure that none have been blown, before calling Toronto Hydro.
    5. Plug in only the most essential appliances first, and wait 10 to 15 minutes to give the electrical system time to stabilize before connecting everything else.

    Food Safety:

    • During a power failure, food kept in the refrigerator or freezer may become unsafe to eat. The following tips will help ensure food is stored safely in the event of a power outage:
    1. Keep your refrigerator door closed to maintain the temperature inside. Without power, the refrigerator section will keep foods cool for four to six hours – if the door is kept closed.
    2. Throw out perishable foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers that have been at temperatures above 4°C for more than two hours.
    3. Keep your freezer door closed to maintain the temperature inside.
      • Without power, an upright or chest freezer that is completely full will keep food frozen for about 48 hours – if the door is kept closed.
      • A half-full freezer will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.
      • Foods that have thawed in the freezer may be refrozen if they still contain ice crystals or are at 4°C or below – evaluate each item separately.
      • Partial thawing and refreezing may reduce the quality of some food, but food will remain safe to eat.
  •  Motorists are asked to avoid the following areas:
    • The Don Valley Parkway – southbound closed at York Mills Road and northbound from the Gardiner – significant flooding at Dundas
    • Westbound Lake Shore Blvd., Strachan to Ontario St., near Ontario Place
    • Allen Expressway at Eglinton
    • The Simcoe Street underpass under the GO line is flooded.

The City of Toronto and TTC provide the following emergency services updates:

  • First responders along with City staff from Transportation Services, Toronto Water staff are working closely with Toronto Hydro, the TTC and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority to manage impacts to residents and restore services as quickly as possible.
  • Expect difficulties across the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway network due to electrical supply issues.
    • The Toronto Transit Commission continues to experience significant subway service impacts due to loss of traction power at the following stations:
    • As well, due to flooding in the city’s west end, there is:
      • no 501 Queen streetcar service west of Humber loop and
      • no 504 King streetcar service from Roncesvalles to Shaw.
    • The TTC has pressed 65 shuttle buses into service to help augment loss of subway service.
    • However, bus and streetcar service across the system remains slow due to localized flooding and out of service traffic signals.

    • Tuesday, July 9, 2013, TTC Service Forecast is as follows:

      • Due to electrical supply issues expect serious difficulties over parts of the subway network.
      • The TTC is working hard to restore as much service as possible for Tuesday morning, July 9, 2013.
      • Due to electrical supply issues the TTC is currently expecting difficulties over parts of the subway network with possible serious crowding and long delays.
    • The TTC will continue to update the public at ttc.ca and via Twitter.

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Contact Info

  • Information on fares, routes, schedules and service.

    • 416-393-4636 (INFO)

    • Recorded information available 24 hours daily.

    • Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays.

    • TTY Hearing Impaired Service, 416-481-2523, Daily, 8:00am-6:00pm; except statutory holidays.

  • Main Switchboard

    • 416-393-4000

    • Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311.

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311).

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

Always call 911 for emergencies.

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

July 8, 2013

City of Toronto update on flooding impacts

The City of Toronto has experienced significant impacts as a result of this evening’s intense rainfall and subsequent power outage. Rainfall amounts over 90 mm have been reported in parts of the Greater Toronto Area so far. As of 10:45 p.m. Environment Canada advises that all weather warnings across the GTA have been ended. Toronto Hydro has reported that approximately 300,000 people are without power in Toronto.

Residents are advised to avoid travel and asked to check in on elderly neighbours or those who may need assistance.

First responders along with City staff from Transportation Services, Toronto Water staff are working closely with Toronto Hydro, the TTC and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority to manage impacts to residents and restore services as quickly as possible.

Please be reminded that 9-1-1 is an emergency number. Please use the non-emergency police number 416-808-2222 for non-life threatening situations.

Motorists are asked to avoid the following areas:

– The Don Valley Parkway – southbound closed at York Mills Road and northbound from the Gardiner – significant flooding at Dundas
– Westbound Lake Shore Blvd., Strachan to Ontario St., near Ontario Place
– Allen Expressway at Eglinton
– The Simcoe Street underpass under the GO line is flooded.

The TTC is experiencing significant impacts on the transit system. Residents should refer to the TTC’s Service Alerts web page for up- to-date information. The website is www.ttc.ca

In the event of a flooded basement:

• Call the City of Toronto at 311 to report a blocked basement drain or sewer back-up, or for information or assistance with a blocked drain, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. During this extreme weather event residents should expect high call volumes. Calls will be answered by the first available agent.
• Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report property damage caused by flooding.
• Be mindful of your health and safety when cleaning up a flooded basement – do not stand in flood water, call a professional for assistance. More information about basement flooding is available on the City of Toronto’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/water. .

How to report a power outage:
• Call Toronto Hydro-Electric System’s Lights Out number at 416-542-8000.

During an outage:
• Unplug or turn off all appliances to avoid possible damage when power resumes.
• Turn off water to the clothes washer and dishwasher if they are in use when the power goes out.
• Leave a light or radio on so you will know when power is restored.
• When power has been restored, check all fuses to ensure that none have been blown, before calling Toronto Hydro.
• Plug in only the most essential appliances first, and wait 10 to 15 minutes to give the electrical system time to stabilize before connecting everything else.

Food Safety:
During a power failure, food kept in the refrigerator or freezer may become unsafe to eat. The following tips will help ensure food is stored safely in the event of a power outage:
• Keep your refrigerator door closed to maintain the temperature inside. Without power, the refrigerator section will keep foods cool for four to six hours – if the door is kept closed.
• Throw out perishable foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers that have been at temperatures above 4°C for more than two hours.
• Keep your freezer door closed to maintain the temperature inside. Without power, an upright or chest freezer that is completely full will keep food frozen for about 48 hours – if the door is kept closed. A half-full freezer will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.
• Foods that have thawed in the freezer may be refrozen if they still contain ice crystals or are at 4°C or below – evaluate each item separately.
• Partial thawing and refreezing may reduce the quality of some food, but food will remain safe to eat.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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