A record-breaking storm drenched Toronto July 9, causing flash floods, forcing the closure of three subway lines, and leaving residents stranded in their cars or without power in their homes.
In one incident, police and firemen worked seven hours to rescue 1,400 commuters from a waterlogged train, finally getting the evacuees to dry ground in inflatable boats.
The squall was caused by two separate storm cells that loitered over Canada's largest city for hours. International news sources say that Pearson International Airport received nearly 5 inches of rain in four hours July 8, breaking the previous single-day rainfall record set by a hurricane in 1954.
According to Reuters, about 300,000 customers of the city's main electrical utility, Toronto Hydro, lost power on Monday because the transmission stations were under 20 to 30 feet of water. 70,000 people were still without electricity on Tuesday.
AIR says that Canada's thunderstorm season typically begins in late May or early June, when the warm daytime surface temperatures and humidity needed for convective storms is strongest. A jet stream currently positioned over the northern plains of the United States and Central Canada is presenting a threat for hail, tornadoes, and straight-line winds. Southeastern Ontario and southern Quebec, where Toronto is located, are at especially high risk of severe summer storms.
Two weeks ago, flooding in Calgary (which is west of Quebec) caused the evacuation of 100,000 people; three were killed.
Floodwaters are beginning to recede in some areas of Toronto, but AIR says there is no indication yet of the number of homes and businesses damaged; however, the modeler expects many claims to be attributable to sewer backup, a typical optional coverage on standard residential policies.
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