Two people were struck and killed by falling trees after a severe thunderstorm hit most of southern Ontario on Saturday afternoon.
Peel Regional Police said a woman in her 70s was walking alone in the area of Belmont Drive and Birchbank Road, near Dixie Road, in Brampton, Ontario. her when she was hit by a falling tree.
She was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
“This is an absolutely tragic and tragic accident that has occurred,” Const said. Heather Cannon told reporters at the scene. “His family is aware of his passing.”
Hours later, the Western Region of the Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that another tree fell on a camping trailer in the Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area, between Kitchener and Brantford. One person was pronounced dead at the hospital while two others were injured.
“I just want to extend our deepest condolences to all the family and friends who have been affected by the tragedy,” the OPP said in a video on social media. “I can tell you that a significant weather event occurred in southwestern Ontario. As a result, there were multiple trees that were felled at another campsite on this property.”
“However, no injuries were reported.”
Authorities said at least one other person was seriously injured in the storm in downtown Toronto. According to police, a woman in her 40s was transported to a trauma center for treatment.
Environment Canada issued a weather warning early Saturday afternoon, saying “conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms.”
They warned that winds could blow at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and hail the size of a nickel could fall on the region.
The storm hit the province shortly after the weather statement was released, toppling trees and causing multiple power outages.
Peel Regional Police say traffic lights are out at a couple of intersections in Brampton, Ontario. A tree has also fallen on a road.
Meanwhile, Toronto Police are urging residents to call 3-1-1 for storm-related issues and that non-emergency service lines will be temporarily closed due to the storm.
“Use 9-1-1 lines for emergencies only,” they said.
A map from Hydro One shows multiple active power outages in southern Ontario, with authorities saying more than 70,000 people are without power. The agency says they are responding to these incidents as quickly and safely as possible.
A tree fell on a house in Richmond Hill during a severe storm in the GTA on Saturday afternoon.
Toronto Hydro’s outage map is currently down for maintenance, but on Twitter they said they are responding to “scattered outages” across the city.
“Remember that if you come across downed power lines, stay at least 10 meters away (which is about the length of a school bus),” Toronto Hydro said.
The Toronto Fire confirmed that a firefighter was injured while in the parking lot of his saloon on the west end of the city.
Deputy Fire Chief Tony Bavota told CP24 on Saturday afternoon that the firefighter was struck by a tree branch.
“He is conscious and doing well now. He is being treated at the hospital,” he said.
WEATHER ALERT ISSUED TO THE MOBILE
Around 12:45 p.m., a mobile alert was sent to phones warning residents to “take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.”
According to Environment Canada, the option to issue an emergency weather alert was included in its system last June, but this is the first time it has been used.
Officials said they chose to do so because winds near Kitchener were expected to gust to about 80 mph. At Toronto Pearson Airport, winds were blowing at 120 kilometers per hour around 1 p.m.
Environment Canada has made no official reports of a tornado, though officials say they are still collecting data.
A weather alert was sent to the mobile phones of Ontarians on May 21, 2022.
Towards evening, Environment Canada says there is a 60 percent chance of showers.
Rain will be combined with some high humidity, with the temperature resting at about 27 C, feeling like 34 C.
The wet weather is expected to continue on Sunday, although the temperature won’t be as muggy at 19 C.
Bank Holiday Monday looks to be a mix of sun and clouds, with a high of 17C.
Reference-www.cp24.com