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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
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.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.