Canada NOW! Emergency in Toronto: Unprecedented Storm Causes Major Flooding

The storm that hit Toronto on Tuesday, July 16, was described as a "unique" weather event for Canada by meteorologist David Phillips from Environment Canada.

Toronto Pearson International Airport received nearly 100 mm of rain, while downtown saw about 84 mm, exceeding the typical July rainfall. According to City Manager Johnson, Toronto experienced rainfall comparable to that during a hurricane.

Billy Bishop Airport, located on Toronto's islands just minutes from downtown, reported the closure of its pedestrian tunnel due to flooding. Passengers were advised to use the ferry to reach the terminal.
Part of the Don Valley Parkway, a major transportation artery connecting downtown Toronto with its northern areas, was flooded and traffic was blocked. Firefighters rescued people stranded in the water on the flooded highway.

The flooding, caused by heavy rains, also damaged the city's public transportation system. The main transit terminal Union Station, which serves suburban and intercity trains, was flooded. Additionally, part of the PATH system, a network of pedestrian walkways connecting Union Station to other buildings, was also flooded and closed. Several buses and streetcars had to alter their routes due to localized flooding.
The flooding also affected many other areas of Greater Toronto.
In the Peel region, a western suburb of Toronto, a creek near a nursing home overflowed, causing flooding. Firefighters and paramedics arrived to assist those affected.

Local police reported manhole covers were raised due to heavy rain and urged residents to be cautious on the streets.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued a flood warning, advising of the dangers of shorelines, rivers, and creeks.
Toronto Hydro reported widespread power outages across the city due to flooding at a transmission station. 167,000 customers were left without electricity.

North York Harvest, a major food bank providing assistance in the North York area, reported flooding of its loading docks and warehouse. The power outage led to the loss of a significant amount of perishable items, including milk, cheese, meat, and baby food.

Toronto’s city manager says little could be done to prevent the widespread flooding caused by Tuesday’s record-breaking rainfall, adding that the city “is not designed” to handle these types of storms.

The conclusion is clear: infrastructure needs to be upgraded and prepared for new weather anomalies. It is essential to implement atmospheric water generators to mitigate the effects of disasters. These technologies could help reduce the frequency and intensity of storms and floods while scientists continue to search for global climate solutions.
More information can be found here: Water From Air: The Path to Saving Humanity | Popular Science Film.