8 people dead after storm rips through Ontario; tens of thousands without power
The death count related to a destructive storm that ripped through much of southern Ontario continues to rise.
Police have confirmed at least eight deaths and multiple injuries after Saturday's severe thunderstorm. Tens of thousands of people are also without power after gusting winds knocked down trees and hydro wires.
The latest deaths were confirmed Sunday afternoon by various police forces.
In Durham Region, emergency crews were called to Ganaraska Forest around 3 p.m. on May 21 for an unrelated matter. While there, they learned that a man had been struck by a fallen tree during the storm.
Officers found a 30-year-old man suffering from significant trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), meanwhile, said a 77-year-old woman in Port Hope was fatally struck by a falling tree "as a powerful weather system moved through the area."
Provincial police also told the Canadian Press that a 64-year-old woman died after a tree fell at a home in North Kawartha Township.
The remaining five deaths were confirmed on Saturday afternoon and evening.
In Brampton, Ont., a woman in her 70s who was walking alone in the area of Belmont Drive and Birchbank Road was struck by a falling tree. Police say she was rushed to the hospital, but later died.
Hours later OPP said that a tree fell on a camping trailer at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area near Kitchener. One person died and two others were injured.
Two other deaths were confirmed in Ottawa. A 44-year-old man in Greater Madawaska and a 59-year-old man in the city’s west end were both pronounced dead after being struck by falling trees.
A fifth death was also confirmed in Quebec by Gatineau police. Investigators say a 51-year-old woman was killed when her boat was capsized in the Ottawa River near Masson-Angers.
The storm struck shortly after Environment Canada issued a weather warning and pushed an emergency alert to the phones of Ontario residents.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The storm struck shortly after Environment Canada issued a weather warning and pushed an emergency alert to the phones of Ontario residents.
By 1 p.m., winds near Kitchener were busting close to 132 kilometres an hour while at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, winds were blowing at about 120 kilometers an hour.
The wind and rain caused multiple trees and live hydro wires to fall down. By Saturday evening, Hydro One said more than 350,000 people are without power following the storm.
In Uxbridge, officials declared a local state of emergency as a result of the storm damage and widespread power outages, which forced multiple roads to close.
IT COULD TAKE DAYS FOR POWER TO RETURN
Hydro One says it could take several days to restore power due to the sheer number of customers impacted and the amount of damage the storm caused.
As of Sunday afternoon, more than 259,200 customers in Ontario were still without electricity
“Additional resources have been called in to assist with power restoration, however we anticipate it will take several days to restore all customers due to the significant damage,” a storm warning on their website says.
Toronto Hydro says their crews have restored power to about 96,000 customers and have about 15,000 to go.
“Rest assured, crews will continue to work around the clock to restore power. Thank you for your ongoing patience.”
Alectra, an electricity provider serving the Golden Horseshoe region, say there are still 24,000 customers experiencing outages. Those outages are primarily in York and Peel.
"The storm came in fast and furious as you know, with hurricane force wind to 120 kilometers an hour, which really does a lot of damage," John Friesen, a spokesperson for Alectra, told CP24 Sunday afternoon.
"What we are seeing on the ground is a great deal of destruction as a result of that. We're doing our best to identify the high-risk areas, specifically make the area safe for public safety, and then work on the restoration."
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the biggest cleanup challenge is the "sheer volume" of destruction.
"We had major damage throughout the city in terms of trees and power lines down, so even though we have all our staff working throughout the night, it still takes time."
Ontario residents have been posting photos of the damage to social media, showing trees blocking roadways, on top of cars and in at least one instance—a playground.
At Mill Pond Park in Richmond Hill,near Major Mackenzie Drive and Yonge Street photos show the playground completely buried under large tree branches and foliage.
One resident said that he was surprised to come out to the park and see the destruction.
“It’s a bit awe inspiring and a little bit humbling when you think about it,” he said. “I’m very thankful no one got injured around here.”
Another Richmond Hill resident posted video to social media showing a hydro pole on fire. The video is less than five seconds long and shows trees blowing in heavy winds and rain pummeling the ground while the pole is ablaze.
Near the end of the video, it appears as though there is a small explosion or blast.
Residents say they are concerned about the length of time it will take to repair the power outages –noting that if it takes days a lot of their food will go bad.
“It’s very frustrating,” one person said. “We have a deep freezer and now we have to throw everything away.”
One woman said her neighbour was told crews would get to their area on Tuesday.
“That’s like four or five days,” she said. “How do you survive?”
It is unclear how much property damage took place during the storm.
With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.