Thousands in Ontario still without power following strong winds

Thousands could remain without power across Ontario overnight after wind gusts Saturday blew up to 90 kilometres per hour.

Toronto Hydro’s storm centre reported nearly 5,000 customers downtown had lost power Saturday afternoon from south of Shuter Street to Harbourfront. Around 500 customers along Royal York Road between Bloor Street and Lake Shore Boulevard also experienced blackouts.

By Saturday afternoon, Toronto Hydro said most customers had their power restored.

But Hydro One warned that 12,000 customers in southern, central and eastern Ontario could be without power overnight, as work continued to get lights back on.

The utility provider said earlier that more than 38,000 customers lost power Saturday.

Toronto police said the swirling winds downed trees and swept hydro wires and traffic signs to the ground.

Construction debris and metal pieces also fell from highrise buildings onto dpwntown streets posing a hazard to the public, police said.

Lucas Alexopoulos, an Environment Canada developmental meteorologist, said a peak wind gust of 96 kilometres an hour was recorded in Windsor Saturday.

Affected Hydro One customers can visit the utility provider’s outage map to see the extent of service disruptions where they live.

Edward Djan is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @EdwardDjan1

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