TORONTO, September 3, 2026 – A severe thunderstorm swept through Toronto on September 2. Heavy rain, strong winds and hail over a short period caused flooding, power outages and fallen trees in multiple areas. Rogers Stadium in North York was also damaged during the storm. Venue operator Live Nation said there have been no reports of injuries so far, and the full extent of the damage is still being inspected and assessed.
Before the storm arrived, many residents received severe weather alerts on their phones. The City of Toronto later declared a major weather event response. Some homes and public facilities were affected, several roads experienced flooding, and localized flooding occurred in some low-lying areas.
As conditions improved, City crews began clearing mud, broken branches and other debris from roads. As of early September 3, the City had received about 1,000 service requests related to the storm. Some roads remain closed, and the City said they will reopen only after water is cleared and safety is confirmed.
The storm also caused widespread power outages and damage to electrical lines, with some traffic signals temporarily out of service. The City is reminding drivers that if they encounter traffic lights that are not working properly, they should treat the intersection as an all-way stop and avoid driving onto roads that are still flooded.
TTC service is currently operating normally, and ferry service to Ward’s Island, Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point has also resumed.
Toronto Hydro is still working on electricity issues in affected areas. Some residents may experience brief outages or flickering lights. Anyone who sees a downed power line should stay away from it and should not try to move or handle it. Flooding, fallen trees or other issues on roads and public property can be reported to 311.
Damage at Rogers Stadium has also drawn attention. The outdoor venue, which can hold about 50,000 people, showed visible damage in footage taken after the storm. Live Nation is currently inspecting the site. Until the assessment is complete, it remains unclear whether upcoming events will be affected.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
