After a severe thunderstorm on Wednesday, Vaughan was left dealing with significant damage, prompting Mayor Steven Del Duca to mobilize cleanup crews swiftly. The storm wreaked havoc by toppling hydro poles, snapping trees and branches, submerging vehicles, causing electrical issues, and even igniting fires in the city just north of Toronto. Mayor Del Duca acknowledged the challenges faced by many families in Vaughan over the past day and expressed gratitude for their patience during the cleanup efforts.
According to a news release issued by the city on Thursday, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service had a remarkable increase in call volume, responding to 113 incidents, including fires, submerged vehicles, and medical emergencies – a tenfold rise from the usual volume. Fortunately, there were no reports of serious injuries.
The city also received over 140 service requests related to flooding and road debris, as well as more than 150 calls concerning fallen trees and branches, especially in the Woodbridge area. Most of the roads that were previously closed or flooded have since reopened.
However, a significant sinkhole forced the closure of a section of Huntington Road at Trade Valley Drive and Huntington Road north of Rutherford Road. York Regional Police confirmed the damage to the road, noting the impact on two trucks, though no injuries were reported. Additionally, reports of water on the road near Martin Grove and Langstaff roads prompted crews to be dispatched promptly.
Cleanup efforts to clear uprooted trees and debris are ongoing, with the city anticipating several more days of work. To manage the high volume of service requests, additional crews and contractors have been deployed, with more expected to join as they become available.
Alectra Utilities reported that power had been restored to customers in Vaughan by 1 p.m. on Thursday, following the outages caused by the storm.
Residents like Rocco Napoli and Pushant Prashar shared their experiences of the storm’s impact. Napoli is assessing the damage to his home after a large tree fell on it, while Prashar, visiting from England, described the weather as frightening, causing power outages, WiFi disruptions, and flooding for his relatives in Vaughan.
Ultimately, the community is coming together to recover from the storm’s aftermath, with the hope of returning to normalcy soon.