Strong winds cause power outages across the Greater Toronto Area
Parts of Toronto’s downtown area were left without power Saturday afternoon as strong winds passed through most of southern Ontario.
Toronto Hydro said there was a big power outage in the city’s Esplanade area, specifically on Shuter Street south to Lake Ontario and on Yonge Street east to Cherry Street.
According to a map on Toronto Hydro’s website, the outage affected up to 5,000 customers.
At around 2:30 p.m., Toronto Hydro said the power had been restored to most customers.
Toronto police were also warning residents about various hazards in the city.
Police say a sign and pieces of metal fell in the area of Yonge and Shuter streets, and a tree and hydro wires were on the road at Lake Shore Boulevard and Colborne Lodge Drive.
There were also reports of debris falling in the area of Adelaide and Peter streets.
Fallen trees and wires were also reportedly on the ground in the areas of Montgomery Road and Oak Hampton Boulevard, Lynngrove Avenue and Princeton Road, and Sherbourne and Carlton streets.
Police are urging drivers and pedestrians to use caution and expect delays in all of those areas.
Meanwhile, a map on Hydro One's website said there were more than 300 outages across the province affecting at least 38,000 customers at one point Saturday afternoon.
The outages were caused by powerful wind gusts hitting most of southern Ontario on Saturday, which prompted Environment Canada to issue a wind warning.
“Westerly winds gusting to 90 km/h are expected this morning through the afternoon in the wake of a strong cold front,” the national weather agency said. The wind advisory for Toronto ended shortly after 4 p.m.
Winds are expected to ease from west to east Saturday evening.
On Friday, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for most of southern Ontario due to the powerful winds.
The weather agency warns that gusty winds can damage soft shelters, tents and awnings at outdoor events. Loose objects could also be tossed by the wind and utility outages could occur.
A high of 9 C is expected today with the temperature falling to 1 C this afternoon and a low of minus 5 C.
Saturday is also expected to be cloudy with a few rain showers set to end this morning and a 60 per cent chance of flurries throughout the day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.