TORONTO, CANADA — September 3, 2026
Toronto and parts of the Greater Toronto Area are dealing with the aftermath of a powerful round of thunderstorms that brought torrential rain, damaging winds, large hail, flooding and widespread power outages across the region Wednesday evening.
The severe weather moved through Toronto on September 2, leaving several roads and low-lying areas flooded while emergency crews responded to reports of stranded motorists and storm-related damage.
One of the major areas affected was the Don Valley Parkway, where localized flooding was reported following intense rainfall. Other parts of Toronto also experienced significant water accumulation as drainage systems struggled to handle the sudden downpour.
Reports from around the city showed flooded streets, fallen trees and downed power lines as the storm swept through the Greater Toronto Area.
Thousands Without Electricity
The storm also caused major power disruptions across Toronto.
At the height of the severe weather, approximately 65,000 people were reported without electricity, with Toronto Hydro responding to widespread outages caused by fallen trees, damaged power lines and other storm-related infrastructure problems.
Crews continued working through the evening to restore electricity safely while residents in affected communities were advised to stay away from fallen power lines and damaged electrical equipment.
The storm produced extremely strong wind gusts in parts of southern Ontario, with some areas recording winds approaching or exceeding 100 kilometres per hour.
Large hail was also reported in parts of the GTA, adding to concerns about damage to vehicles, homes and outdoor property.
Motorists Rescued From Flooded Vehicles
Emergency responders were called to several flooding incidents across Toronto as heavy rainfall quickly overwhelmed some roads.
Police reportedly assisted people trapped or stranded inside vehicles after motorists encountered unexpectedly deep water.
Authorities repeatedly warn motorists never to attempt driving through flooded roads because it can be difficult to determine the depth of the water or whether the roadway underneath has been damaged.
Even relatively shallow moving water can create dangerous conditions for vehicles.
Drivers travelling Thursday morning should remain particularly cautious around underpasses, low-lying roads and areas close to rivers or drainage channels.
Flooding Risk Had Already Been Elevated
Flooding concerns had been raised before the strongest thunderstorms arrived.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority had warned that parts of its watershed were already saturated following earlier rainfall.
Some areas had received significant rainfall earlier in the week, reducing the ground’s ability to absorb additional water.
When Wednesday’s intense thunderstorms arrived, heavy rain falling over already saturated areas increased the possibility of flash flooding and rapidly rising water levels.
The storm system brought repeated periods of rain through southern Ontario, with Toronto receiving substantial rainfall during different waves of thunderstorms.
Emergency Weather Alerts Issued
Residents across Toronto and surrounding communities received severe weather warnings as conditions deteriorated Wednesday afternoon and evening.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Toronto as meteorologists warned that the system could produce destructive winds, very large hail and torrential rainfall.
Parts of southern Ontario were also placed under tornado watches or warnings as the storm system intensified.
Residents were advised to seek shelter indoors, stay away from windows and avoid unnecessary travel during the most dangerous period of the storm.
While Toronto avoided the worst of the tornado threat reported elsewhere in southern Ontario, the combination of intense rain, hail and powerful winds caused considerable disruption across the city.
Cleanup Begins Across Toronto
By early Thursday morning, the strongest storms had moved away from Toronto, but cleanup and restoration operations were continuing.
Residents may encounter fallen tree branches, damaged property, debris and localized flooding in some neighbourhoods.
Power restoration efforts are also expected to continue in areas still affected by outages.
People should avoid approaching fallen electrical wires and should treat every damaged power line as potentially energized.
Anyone who encounters significant flooding should avoid walking or driving through the affected area.
More Thunderstorms Remain Possible Thursday
Although Wednesday’s severe storms have passed, the weather risk has not completely disappeared.
Another round of thunderstorms could develop across parts of southern Ontario on Thursday as warm and unstable air remains over the region.
The storms currently expected Thursday may be less widespread or severe than Wednesday’s system, but residents are still encouraged to monitor weather alerts throughout the day.
Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly during periods of high humidity and atmospheric instability.
People planning to travel around Toronto should check road conditions and local weather information before leaving home.
Residents Urged to Remain Cautious
Toronto residents affected by flooding should avoid basements or underground areas where water is rapidly entering, particularly where electricity could create an additional hazard.
People experiencing power outages should use flashlights rather than candles whenever possible and should avoid operating generators inside homes, garages or enclosed spaces.
Motorists should also give emergency and utility crews enough space while they remove fallen trees, repair electrical infrastructure and clear flooded roads.
Wednesday’s storm serves as another reminder of how quickly severe summer weather can create dangerous conditions across Toronto and the wider GTA.
As cleanup continues Thursday, residents are encouraged to remain alert, monitor official weather warnings and avoid flooded or damaged areas until authorities determine they are safe.
ENS NEWS will continue monitoring developments across Toronto and the GTA.