What to know
- The TRCA is warning Toronto-area residents about flooding risks as fall begins, with heavy rain potentially causing rivers and streams to rise quickly.
- Tropical storms and hurricanes moving north can bring additional moisture to Southern Ontario, increasing the GTA’s flood risk.
- Residents should keep children and pets away from rivers, streams and ponds, as fast-moving water and unstable shorelines can remain dangerous even after rain stops.
- The TRCA advises checking road conditions and weather alerts and avoiding floodwaters altogether, whether walking, biking or driving, because water may be deeper or faster-moving than it appears.
The first day of fall also welcomes more wet weather as temperatures drop, but a risk of heavy storms has Toronto officials warning residents to take precautions.
In a press release on Tuesday, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) reminded residents that rivers and streams can rise quickly during and after heavy fall rain.
According to the agency, heavy rainfall can quickly increase water levels in rivers and streams, as well as lower-lying areas, something the city already saw earlier this month.
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Additional moisture in Southern Ontario can come as tropical storms and hurricanes move north from Atlantic and Gulf regions.
The GTA is more susceptible to flooding when these systems combine with rainy conditions.
TRCA warns that children and pets should be kept away from rivers, streams and ponds during this time, noting that water levels can rise fast and without prior warning.
Once the rain clears up, the danger doesn’t disappear. The agency warned that fast-moving currents, riverbanks, lake levels and shorelines can remain unsafe.
If you’re planning to step out, the TRCA said residents should check road conditions before travelling. They added that going through floodwaters at all, when walking, or by bike or by car, is discouraged, as the water could be deeper or moving faster than it seems. There could also be objects and other unknown conditions under the surface.
Warning system
TRCA’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Program monitors weather, watershed, and shoreline conditions throughout the year.
The TRCA said residents should also keep an eye on local weather forecasts and any alerts from Environment Canada as well as the municipality they live in.
