One year after an extreme summer rain storm flooded roads, railways and basements across Toronto, the city government marked the event with a reminder to be prepared.
Since the July 8, 2013 storm the city has increased its spending on programs meant to compensate for extreme weather. That includes $3.1 billion over 10 years on improving wastewater and storm water collection systems, according to a news release issued on Tuesday.
The city reminds residents that every home should have the basic supplies for dealing with an emergency:
- Drinking water
- Canned food and a manual can opener
- Batteries for flashlights and radios
- A first aid kit
- Crank or battery operated radio
- Cash
On July 8, 2014, record rainfall closed transit and roadways, stranded commuters knocked out power in several areas, flooded homes and caused other damage. Scroll through some of The Globe's images from that day. Read Andrew Ryan's account of his 7 1/2-hour GO Train ride home and scroll through some reader images and tweets from the flood.
A large truck blasts it way through flood water left over from lasts night flooding on Islington just north of Bloor Street in Etobicoke on July 09, 2013, 2013. (Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail)
Some vehicles drive the wrong way on an on ramp to get off the closed-due-to-flooding QEW Eastbound just east of Hurontario in Mississauga, 2013. (J.P. Moczulski)
Rescue workers load GO Train passengers on boats after the train was stuck on the flooded tracks during a major rainstorm in downtown Toronto, Ontario. ((Philip Cheung)
A woman gets gets back in her car in flood water on Lakeshore West during a storm in Toronto on Monday, July 8, 2013. (Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press)
(Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press)
(Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press)
(Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press)
A car drives through a large puddle of water left from Monday night’s flooding on Islington Avenue, just north of Bloor Street in Etobicoke, July 9, 2013. (Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail)
A TTC bus drives through a large puddle of water left from Monday night’s flooding on Islington Avenue just north of Bloor Street in Etobicoke on July 9, 2013. (Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail)
Vehicles drive through a large puddle of water left from Monday night’s flooding on Islington Avenue, just north of Bloor Street in Etobicoke, on July 9, 2013. (Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail)
GO passengers wait for an eastbound train at the Long Branch station in Etobicoke on July 9, 2013. Shuttle buses were in service because of flooding on the tracks west of the station following a massive rain storm Monday night. (Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail)
GO Transit passengers rush to catch an eastbound train at the Long Branch GO Station in Etobicoke on July 9, 2013. Shuttle buses were in service because of flooding on the tracks west of Long Branch following a massive rain storm Monday night. (Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail)
King Street at Atlantic Avenue in Toronto remains closed after flooding from rain shut down the underpass, leaving raw sewage and a possible water main break in July 9, 2013. (Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail)
Police constables stand at the corner of King Street at Atlantic Avenue in Toronto, which remains closed after flooding from rain shut down the underpass, leaving raw sewage and a possible water main break July 9, 2013. (Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail)
GO Train passengers wait for TTC busses to transport them to Oriole GO Station after their train was stuck on the flooded tracks during a major rainstorm in downtown Toronto. (Philip Cheung / For The Globe and Mail
Rescue workers on boats head toward a GO Train full of passengers that is stuck on the flooded tracks, during a major rainstorm in downtown Toronto. (Philip Cheung / For The Globe and Mail
A GO Train full of passengers is stuck on the flooded tracks during a major rainstorm in downtown Toronto. (Philip Cheung / For The Globe and Mail
Rescue workers load GO Train passengers on boats after the train was stuck on the flooded tracks during a major rainstorm in downtown Toronto. (Philip Cheung / For The Globe and Mail
GO Train passengers are allowed to leave the stranded train by foot after the flood waters receded during a major rainstorm in downtown Toronto. (Philip Cheung / For The Globe and Mail
A GO Train full of passengers is stuck on the flooded tracks during a major rainstorm in downtown Toronto. (Philip Cheung / For The Globe and Mail
A GO Train full of passengers is stuck on the flooded tracks during a major rainstorm in downtown Toronto. (Philip Cheung / For The Globe and Mail