‘Significant safety risks:’ Toronto under flood warning amid heavy rainfall

Flooding has been reported in some parts of the GTA on Thursday.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is warning of an elevated risk of flooding in the GTA due to heavy rainfall on Thursday.

“Flooding is currently occurring within TRCA watersheds,” a flood warning issued by the agency read.

One area of particular concern, the TRCA said, is along the Lower Don River, near Todmorden Mills and the Bayview Avenue Extension, south of Pottery Road.

Toronto police said Bayview Avenue is closed in the area due to ponding and pooling.

“This flooding is the result of a recent weather system that brought significant rainfall and thunderstorms to the region,” the TRCA statement.

“All rivers, streams, shorelines, floodplains, and low-lying areas should be considered dangerous due to elevated water levels and ongoing flooding.”

The TRCA noted that fast-flowing water, unstable banks, and “inundated areas” pose “significant safety risks.”

“Water levels in other TRCA watersheds continue to rise and have not yet reached their peak, particularly within the Etobicoke Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds,” the statement continued.

“Additional rainfall is expected, and river levels will likely continue to increase as runoff moves through the watershed systems toward downstream areas.”

TRCA watersheds have ranged from about 20 mm to 67 mm, according to the agency.

“These significant amounts have saturated the ground, greatly reducing its capacity to absorb additional rainfall and increasing the potential for further runoff and flooding,” the TRCA said.

The flooding wreaked havoc on rush hour traffic, with collisions and flooded roadways reported in many areas across the GTA.

A special weather statement remains in effect for Toronto, though CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said the heaviest periods of rain are behind us.

The national weather agency said rainfall amounts of between five and 20 mm are possible on Thursday.