Tens of thousands without power as southern Ontario faces massive cleanup from destructive storm

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Good morning. The Greater Toronto Area is waking up to the aftermath of a powerful thunderstorm that brought torrential rain, hail and destructive winds to southern Ontario on Wednesday evening.

Environment Canada has lifted most weather alerts for the GTA, but the storm's impacts are expected to linger into Thursday as crews work through the night to clear debris, restore power and reopen roads.

The latest on the aftermath of the storm that hit the GTA

If you're just getting up to speed, here's what you need to know about Wednesday's extreme weather and how it's affecting travel and beyond:

• Environment Canada has lifted all weather alerts for the GTA, but there were still severe thunderstorm warnings in place for parts of southwestern Ontario including London, Niagara Falls, Sarnia, and Windsor late Wednesday. 
• Toronto Hydro said around 45,000 customers were still without power just after 8 p.m. 
• Flooding has caused a slew of road closures in Toronto, including a large stretch of one of the city's main arteries, the Don Valley Parkway, which is shut down in both directions between Bloor Street and the Jarvis Street exit of the Gardiner Expressway. You can find a full list of road closures here and the latest on transit delays here. 
• Severe flooding is also causing numerous road closures and transit detours in Vaughan. The city is asking people to avoid certain areas as it works to clean up from the aftermath of the storm. 
• The weather is also affecting flights out of Toronto Pearson Airport. The departures board on the airport's website shows dozens of flights that were set to leave this evening have been either delayed or cancelled.

Areas to avoid in Vaughan

The City of Vaughan just put out another update, listing general areas of the city to avoid due to the effects of this evening's downpour: 

• Martin Grove Road and Langstaff Road. 
• Rivermede Road and Bowes Road. 
• Weston Road and Rutherford Road. 
• Jane Street and Highway 7. 
• Rutherford Road and Vaughan Mills Road.  

"Crews and first responders will be working throughout the night to address the aftermath of this storm, including downed trees and branches," the city said.

Another update is expected tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Vaughan feeling the impact

We have been getting some intense flooding video and photos from Vaughan, directly north of Toronto, where the storm has caused numerous road closures and transit detours. 

The City of Vaughan has an alert up on its website notifying residents that crews are working to "clean up as quickly as possible." 

York Region has also warned of "severe flooding" in the city. 

"Power outages have affected several traffic signals and flooding has led to temporary closures," the region said in a post to X. 

There are emergency road closures at Highway 7 and Bowes Road. Numerous stops along York Region Transit's No. 20 bus route are on detour. 

You can check the latest transit alerts on the transit agency's X page. 

Anyone hoping to wait out the storm and take the Don Valley Parkway home might be in for a bit of a reckoning. 

We just got an update from the city that the DVP closure has grown, and the road is now shut in both directions between Bloor Street and the Jarvis Street exit of the Gardiner Expressway.

Michael Garron Hospital reports flooding

While the alerts for the GTA have been lifted, the impact of the thunderstorm that pummelled the region is still being felt. 

Michael Garron Hospital, located in the city's East York community, just reported its emergency department has been affected by flooding. 

"If you're experiencing a potentially life-threatening issue, please note that our ED remains open and operational," the hospital said on its website.   

But it also urged anyone experiencing a non-life-threatening health issue to consider "other care options" in the area. 

45,000 still without power, Toronto Hydro says

We just got an update from Toronto Hydro on the effort to restore power across the city. 

Spokesperson Brie Davis said around 45,000 customers remain in the dark.

"We have added additional resources to support customers as we experience high call volumes and remain committed to supporting those impacted by the storm and keeping customers informed throughout the restoration effort," she said in an emailed update.

More road closures in Toronto

More road closures to report. 

Along with the closure of one of the city's main arteries, the Don Valley Parkway, between Bloor Street and the Gardiner Expressway, these roads have also been closed: 

• Lower Simcoe Street between Front Street West and Bremner Boulevard.
• Lake Shore Boulevard West from Strachan Avenue to British Columbia Road, as well as Lane 3 of westbound Lake Shore Boulevard East between Don Roadway and Cherry Street. 
• The southbound lanes of Bayview Avenue, from River Street to Lawren Harris Square. 

You can find a full list of road closures here. 

York Regional Police warn of 'severe flooding'

York police are now warning the public of "severe flooding" in Vaughan. 

In a post to X, police said the intersection of Jane Street and Highway 7 is fully submerged. 

"Please avoid the area. Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads," the post said.  

Environment Canada ends weather alert for GTA

There are no more weather alerts in place for the GTA. 

The deluge may be over for the area, according to the weather agency, but there are still 21 yellow weather alerts in the province. Most of them are related to heat or severe thunderstorm weather. 

You can find the latest alerts here.