Intense and heavy rain causes unbelievable flash flooding in Toronto (VIDEOS)
The Greater Toronto Area was hit was a slow-moving storm system Tuesday night that caused widespread flash flooding and power outages in several areas of the city.
The storm, which dropped close to 100 mm of rain in some areas of Toronto in under three hours, left roughly 16,000 residents without power due to a loss of supply from Hydro One.
The loss of power combined with the flooding resulted in Toronto Police services responding to numerous emergency calls, including one incident involving two men being trapped inside a rapidly-filling elevator.
Flooding rescue: Alliance Ave / Rockcliffe Blvd
-2 people stuck in an elevator in a bsmt building
-water was 6 ft high inside
-Police rescue 2 men with only 1 foot of air space left
-injuries reported, non life threatening
-TFS/EMS on scene#GO1452695
^ka— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) August 8, 2018
At the height of the storm, Toronto Fire Service was responding to 71 emergency calls throughout the GTA, advising the public to be very careful around flooding and around any downed power lines.
71 active @Toronto_Fire calls ongoing at present. Please be very careful around flooding and around any downed power lines. pic.twitter.com/rK6T38e4D4
— Matthew Pegg (@ChiefPeggTFS) August 8, 2018
Flooding was severe in some areas as rain quickly overwhelmed drainage systems and flooded buildings and condos, roads and underpasses, which left many vehicles trapped and submerged by water.
While most of the city was safe indoors, a few brave souls who were outside managed to capture the storm in all its glory.
Here are some of the unbelievable pictures and videos of Tuesday’s intense storm shared on social media.
The sewer covers are dancing in #Toronto @ the corner of John & Wellington! Wow. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/leKATkOxx5
— bloombloom™ (@bloombloom) August 8, 2018
Streets starting to flood 😱 #onstorm #toronto pic.twitter.com/OpqPqwvQ4g
— Monica Jagielka (@MonicaJagielka) August 8, 2018
Parking level 3 – Bremner/Lower Simcoe #onstorms #torontoflood pic.twitter.com/97rRb2kHFl
— Charlie Wang (@ck_high) August 8, 2018
A friend sent me this video of Scotiabank Arena (Formally known as Air Canada Centre/ACC) flooding tonight. This happened after the Shakira concert. @CP24 #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/YZ91tKUv4F
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) August 8, 2018
Our street an hour ago! #torontostorm #torontoflood #davenport #oakwood #ossington pic.twitter.com/I03Fjp9SqO
— Samantha Sandell (@qc_lady) August 8, 2018
TTC changing their slogan to “The Wetter Way” #Toronto #TorontoFlood pic.twitter.com/PpV3XwizpW
— Graham Rowlands (@beachrockinc) August 8, 2018
Flooding in Toronto, near Liberty Village #ON #Flood #ONStorm @weatherchannel #toronto #flood #weather pic.twitter.com/nuiumInJ9z
— ɌHYOT (@RHYOT) August 8, 2018
I think I’ll take the stairs… Nope! (Friend’s condo on Queens Quay) #onstorm #toronto @CityNews @CityAdrian pic.twitter.com/zdYoyPJGGZ
— Tyler (@Tylersdaytoday) August 8, 2018
Downtown Toronto. It was a crazy walk after the Blue Jays game. Water was up past my knees! #onstorm #flooding pic.twitter.com/avX5oRxSzl
— Louis (@Louscoo) August 8, 2018
Toronto is flooding – Lakeshore W. Let’s not get swept away!!! #onstorm pic.twitter.com/TR579ZKsbs
— Louis (@Louscoo) August 8, 2018
Out on a flood night. #ONStorm #dlws #Toronto pic.twitter.com/Rh9hHJJSrl
— Mike Radoslav (@MikeRadoslav) August 8, 2018
Unreal storm tonight in Toronto – 100+mm in like two hours #onstorm pic.twitter.com/fZPoW5WVgz
— Nathan Charley (@nathancharley) August 8, 2018
Bathurst & Lakeshore @CP24 pic.twitter.com/CMBvi3s0S2
— Lesley Patterson (@sassylesley) August 8, 2018
Heavy rain in Toronto tonight…..Epic Lounge at #RoyalYork Hotel in Toronto. Epic leak I would say. @CP24 pic.twitter.com/f2QASjcOmx
— Colin McSweeney (@cmcsweeney66) August 8, 2018
Streetcar and car caught in flood under King Street W bridge #torontoflood #kingsudbury #libertyvillage #libertyvillageflood #ONstorm pic.twitter.com/mB6or3Z2ci
— Teena in Toronto (@TeenainToronto) August 8, 2018