The storm system that wreaked havoc in Toronto will pass through Quebec Tuesday night, but the rains that will hit the province are expected to be less severe.
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for part of Quebec on Tuesday. Cells from the storm that is shaking the Toronto region will hit mainly the Montérégie region starting Tuesday evening.
“We can expect to see some in the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Chambly areas,” said Simon Legault, meteorologist at Environment Canada.
Environment Canada issued heavy rain warnings Tuesday for the GTA and much of southern Ontario as a system of heavy rain and thunderstorms moved through the region. Toronto residents received no less than 98 mm of rain in three hours, “which is really a lot,” according to Simon Legault.
The storm has “changed a lot” since it passed through Toronto, however, the meteorologist points out, saying that heavy rain and lightning are expected this evening.
Montrealers can expect showers of varying intensity throughout the evening, and even overnight.
Chaos in Toronto
Heavy rains that hit Toronto Tuesday afternoon caused flooding on the major Don Valley Expressway, as well as several arterial roads and a major transit hub, all of which were closed. Power outages were also reported in several areas.
Flooding from torrential rains plagued the city’s public transit system. The subway no longer stopped at Union Station, a major transit terminal downtown, and several buses and streetcars took detours from their usual routes through the city due to localized flooding.
PHOTO SEAN VOKEY, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Flooding at Union Station in Toronto on July 16, 2024.
Billy Bishop Airport, located on the Toronto Islands just minutes from downtown, had to close its pedestrian tunnel due to flooding, and passengers were advised to take the ferry to the airport.
In Peel Region, a suburb west of Toronto, manhole covers have reportedly been lifted due to rainfall.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning and says shorelines, rivers and creeks in the GTA should be considered hazardous.