Record-breaking rainfall from three massive storms flooded parts of Toronto, knocked out power and stranded drivers on a major highway that runs across the city.
Environment Canada reported that nearly 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell in Toronto on Tuesday, surpassing the city's highest daily record since 1941.
Photos and video showed massive flooding across the city, with cars nearly submerged and water gushing down the steps of Union Station.
According to Toronto Hydro, more than 167,000 customers were left without power due to the storm.
Several flights were also delayed or cancelled at Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island in Lake Ontario.
The Don Valley Parkway, a major highway adjacent to the Don River, is blocked in both directions due to flooding. Ontario Highway 410 is also closed, and police expect it to remain closed for another day as cleanup efforts continue.
Authorities said at least 14 people were rescued, one of whom had to be pulled from the roof of a vehicle.
Toronto Fire Department received numerous calls from people trapped in elevators after power was cut off across a large area of the downtown area during work hours.
Meteorologists said Tuesday's record rainfall was the result of three consecutive storms hitting the city.
“We've had 25 per cent more rain fall in three hours than we did with all of the thunderstorms and weather systems moving in during the entire month of July,” meteorologist Dave Phillips told local news station CP24.
The Toronto and Region Protection Agency warns that areas near the city’s shoreline, rivers and streams are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Toronto has more than a dozen rivers and streams that are vulnerable to rising water levels.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Cho said she didn't know why the flood-prone Don Valley Parkway wasn't closed earlier that day.
She added that the city was making “massive investments” in clean-up efforts to prevent similar flooding in the future.
Toronto was hit by a massive storm in July 2013 that left at least 300,000 people without power and left more than 1,000 passengers needing to be rescued from a flooded train.
