A woman in Brampton, Ont. is dead after a strong thunderstorm hit most of southern Ontario on Saturday afternoon.
Peel Regional Police say a 70-year-old woman was walking alone in the Belmont Drive and Birchbank Road areas near Dixie Road when she was hit by a falling tree.
She was transported to a local hospital, where she died of her injuries.
“It’s just an absolutely tragic, tragic incident that happened,” a police spokesman said. “Her family is aware of her death.”
Police are investigating the death of a woman during a severe thunderstorm in Brampton, Ont. (Corey Baird / CTV News Toronto)
Environment Canada issued a weather warning early Saturday afternoon, saying “conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms”.
They warned that winds could blow at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and that nickel-sized hail could fall in the region.
The storm swept through the province shortly after the weather forecast was published, knocking down trees and causing numerous power outages.
Peel Regional Police say traffic lights are off at several intersections in Brampton, Ont. A tree also fell on the roadway.
CURRENT CALLS IN THE REGION- Traffic lights off Glen Erin / Battleford Msga & Steeles Ave E / Hurontario Brampton- Main St / Archibald Brampton- Hydroline down and burning- Derry Rd W / Godwick Msga – Tree down R across the road / Kennedy Brampton- Traffic light hanging
– Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) May 21, 2022
Toronto police, meanwhile, are urging residents to call 3-1-1 about storm-related issues and that non-emergency service lines will be temporarily closed due to the storm.
“Please use 9-1-1 lines only for emergencies,” they said.
A map of Hydro One shows multiple power outages in southern Ontario, with officials saying more than 70,000 people are without electricity. The agency says they are responding to these incidents as quickly and safely as possible.
A tree fell on a home in Richmond Hill during a severe thunderstorm at GTA on Saturday afternoon. (Twitter / @aidan__sai)
The power outage card in Toronto is not currently working on maintenance, but on Twitter they said they were responding to “scattered outages” in the city.
“Remember that if you come across damaged wires, stay at least 10 meters back (which is approximately the length of a school bus),” said Toronto Hydro.
Toronto Fire confirmed that a firefighter was injured while in the parking lot of their hall at the western end of the city.
Deputy Fire Chief Tony Bavota told CP24 on Saturday afternoon that the firefighter had been hit by a tree branch.
“He is conscious and doing well. He is being treated at a hospital, “he said.
SIGNAL FOR TIME ISSUED ON A MOBILE PHONE
At around 12:45, a mobile signal was sent to the phones, warning residents to “hide immediately if threatening time approaches.”
According to Environment Canada, the weather alarm option was included in their system last June, but this is the first time it has been used.
Officials said they chose to do so because winds near Kitchener are expected to have gusts of about 131 kilometers per hour. At Pearson Airport in Toronto, the winds were at 120 kilometers per hour for about 13 hours
There are no official reports of a tornado from Environment Canada, although officials say they are still collecting data.
A weather alert was sent to Ontario residents’ cell phones on May 21, 2022.
Heading for the evening, Environment Canada says there is a 60% chance of precipitation.
The rain will be combined with some high humidity, and the temperature will be around 27 C, feeling like 34 C.
The humid weather is expected to continue on Sunday, although the temperature will not be as humid as 19 degrees.
Festive Monday looks like a mixture of sun and clouds, with a maximum temperature of 17 degrees.
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