Update on Response to Heavy Rainfall

Toronto Emergency Management has been engaged to coordinate the City's response to heavy rainfall on July 16, 2024 and associated flooding. 

Below are the updates as of 6:00 a.m. on July 17, 2024:  

General updates 

• Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is not forecasting significant rainfall today. Weather updates are available on the ECCC website:  https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-143_metric_e.html  
• The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) advises that water levels in the Don River are falling. Updates are available on the TRCA website: https://trca.ca/  
• 311 received more than 930 calls since the start of the rainfall for service connection blockages, overflowing catchbasins  
• A small number of City pools and community centres remain closed due to flooding or a loss of power. Residents are reminded to check the City’s website for service impacts: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/parks-recreation-service-alerts/.  
• There is flooding in various low-lying waterfront parks and on Toronto Island. The impact won’t be known until the water recedes in the coming days.
  

Toronto Hydro  

• There are about 3,200 customers without power, down from a peak of approximately 167,000.  
• Toronto Hydro and Hydro One are working to restore power supply to all customers as quickly as possible.
• Report outages to Toronto Hydro: https://www.torontohydro.com/what-to-do-during-an-outage.  
•  

Public transit and commuting  

• All roads, including the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway, have reopened, with the exception of:
• Bayview Avenue between Pottery Road and River Street.
• Unwin Avenue. 
• The City is working to reopen both roads as soon as possible. 
• City crews worked overnight to clear debris and water from roads. 
• The City will continue inspecting bridge, culverts and guardrails throughout the day.
• A map of all road closures is available at www.toronto.ca/RoadRestrictions.     
• TTC is operating normal service. The most up-to-date information is available on the TTC Service Alerts webpage: www.ttc.ca/service-alerts   
• Union Station is fully operational, and retail and food courts are operating normally, following flooding and power outages on Tuesday.
• Metrolinx updates are available on www.gotransit.com

Basement flooding 

• The City’s crews are available 24/7 to respond to flooding calls. 
• In the event of a flooded basement:
  • Call 311 immediately to report basement flooding. During extreme weather conditions residents should expect high call volumes and some delays. Calls will be answered by the first available agent. 
  • Do not enter a flooded basement. If flooding occurs in your basement and your power is on, call Toronto Hydro at 416-542-8000 to disconnect your power. 
  • Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report property damage caused by flooding. 
  • Reduce or eliminate water use in the home (don’t do laundry, wash dishes, flush the toilet, etc.), if you have already experienced a sewer backup or your backwater valve has been activated, as this household water could end up in your basement. 
  • Be mindful of your health and safety when cleaning a flooded basement. Do not stand in flood water – call a professional for assistance. 
• Learn how to protect your home and what steps to take if your basement floods at toronto.ca/BasementFlooding. 
  
  

General tips and advice 

• Stay away from shorelines, rivers and streams, and use caution if travelling during flooding.  
• Never drive through flooding or ponding, especially in underpasses. More information about road restrictions is available at www.toronto.ca/roadrestrictions. 
• Collection crews may be delayed. Residents are advised to put out their waste materials on their regularly scheduled day and leave them until they are collected.