Toronto residents and commuters advised to prepare for heavy rain - August 15

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Toronto as a significant widespread rainfall is expected over the next two days. The City of Toronto encourages residents and business to take precautionary steps to protect their property and ensure their safety.Transportation Services and travel precautions:• Heavy rain is anticipated and visibility can be limited. Walk, bike and drive with caution.• Motorists should drive with care and proceed slowly through areas of ponding, especially near sidewalks with pedestrians present. If you see a traffic light that is not working, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.• Transportation Services staff are working today to keep catch basins clear. Residents are asked to assist in clearing catch basins, where safe, of leaves and other debris to help prevent flooding.Toronto Water and basement flooding:• Toronto Water's storm readiness plan is in place. Crews are available 24/7 to respond to flooding calls. The City undertakes regular inspections, cleaning and maintenance of more than 10,000 kilometres of sewer pipes to ensure that the system operates well. In addition, crews will be inspecting sites noted as being problematic from past storms.• Residents concerned about basement flooding should move their valuables to shelves or upper floors. Cleaning products, paint or chemicals should be taken off the floor so they do not contaminate potential floodwater.• Homeowners are reminded to clear leaves and other debris from eavestroughs and downspouts as well as catch basins that may be located on their own property.• If residents do experience flooding, they should call 311 immediately to report it. They should also call their insurance provider.More basement flooding prevention tips, as well as information about programs and services available to residents, are available at http://www.toronto.ca/basementflooding.The City of Toronto has a web portal to educate residents about the risks of extreme weather and the actions they can take to help reduce those risks, weather-proof their homes and improve their resilience. The portal offers residents a single point of access for programs, services and resources from a variety of City divisions, agencies, corporations and external organizations and can be accessed online at http://www.toronto.ca/extremeweatherready.Being prepared for an emergency can significantly reduce the hardship you may experience during a local or city-wide emergency. Toronto residents should have a three-day emergency kit prepared and a plan so that you and your family know what to do in an emergency. More information about how to ensure you're ready for an emergency is available on the City's website: http://www.toronto.ca/oem.The Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre is always open at 129 Peter Street in downtown Toronto and can help those seeking emergency shelter. If you see someone whom you think requires street outreach assistance, call 311.Call 311, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to report flooded or damaged expressways, non-working traffic signals, other road and sidewalk problems as well as damaged trees on City property. For damaged trees on private property, residents should obtain a private tree service. Residents are reminded that 911 is for emergencies only, including downed power lines. To report a power outage, call Toronto Hydro-Electric System's Lights Out number at 416-542-8000.Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. For the most up-to-date weather information, visit Environment Canada's website at https://weather.gc.ca/.