Morning update: City services resuming following yesterday's intense rainfall

TORONTO, July 9, 2013 /CNW/ - City crews and the City's Emergency Operations Centre have been working closely throughout the night with Toronto Hydro and the TTC to manage impacts to residents and restore services to residents as quickly as possible after yesterday's intense rainfall. Environment Canada advises that all weather warnings across the Toronto area have ended. Toronto Hydro advises that service has been restored to all but 35,000 customers in the Toronto area.

With the exception of the Bloor-Danforth subway line from Jane to Kipling stations, the Toronto Transit Commission will be operating at capacity across the subway system this morning. Residents should refer to the TTC's Service Alerts web page for details and up-to-date information at www.ttc.ca.  Information on service impacts for GO Transit commuters is available at: www.gotransit.com.

Most city roadways are open to traffic this morning, including:

• Don Valley Parkway
• Lake Shore Blvd.
• Allen Expressway.

The Bayview Extension is closed, as is Rosedale Valley Road from Bayview to Park Road, and the underpass at King and Atlantic streets. There continue to be some limited impacts and closures to some local roads throughout the city.

It may be very busy this morning during the rush hour period; Motorists are asked to be patient and drive carefully. Where traffic signals are out, motorists are reminded to treat affected intersections as a four-way stop. Please report signal outages to 311.

In the event of a flooded basement:
• Call the City of Toronto at 311 to report a blocked basement drain or sewer back-up, or for information or assistance with a blocked drain, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. During this extreme weather event residents should expect high call volumes. Calls will be answered by the first available agent.
• Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report property damage caused by flooding.
• Be mindful of your health and safety when cleaning up a flooded basement - do not stand in flood water, call a professional for assistance. More information about basement flooding is available on the City of Toronto's website at http://www.toronto.ca/water.

How to report a power outage:
• Call Toronto Hydro-Electric System's Lights Out number at 416-542-8000.

During an outage:
• Unplug or turn off all appliances to avoid possible damage when power resumes.
• Turn off water to the clothes washer and dishwasher if they are in use when the power goes out.
• Leave a light or radio on so you will know when power is restored.
• When power has been restored, check all fuses to ensure that none have been blown, before calling Toronto Hydro.
• Plug in only the most essential appliances first, and wait 10 to 15 minutes to give the electrical system time to stabilize before connecting everything else.

Food Safety:
During a power failure, food kept in the refrigerator or freezer may become unsafe to eat. The following tips will help ensure food is stored safely in the event of a power outage:
• Keep your refrigerator door closed to maintain the temperature inside. Without power, the refrigerator section will keep foods cool for four to six hours - if the door is kept closed.
• Throw out perishable foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers that have been at temperatures above 4°C for more than two hours.
• Keep your freezer door closed to maintain the temperature inside. Without power, an upright or chest freezer that is completely full will keep food frozen for about 48 hours - if the door is kept closed. A half-full freezer will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.
• Foods that have thawed in the freezer may be refrozen if they still contain ice crystals or are at 4°C or below - evaluate each item separately.
• Partial thawing and refreezing may reduce the quality of some food, but food will remain safe to eat. As always, residents are asked to check in on elderly neighbours or those who may need assistance.

Please be reminded that 9-1-1 is an emergency number. Please use the non-emergency police number 416-808-2222 for non-life threatening situations.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SOURCE: City of Toronto

Media Contact
Wynna Brown,
Strategic Communications
416-919-6503
[email protected]