Caledon received most rain during damaging thunderstorms: Environment Canada

Weather agency says Caledon, Vaughan, North York and Scarbough drenched with more than 100 millimetres of rain

Published Sep 04, 2026  •  1 minute read

A flooded street in a Toronto residential neighbourhood. Photo by Elton /Adobe Stock

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source

Article content

The numbers are in for the multiple thunderstorms that caused heavy damage Wednesday across the Greater Toronto Area and parts of Southwestern Ontario.

Article content

Article content

The storms, which brought more than a month’s worth of rain in the late afternoon, moved southeastward from Lake Huron and were tracked through Kitchener-Waterloo and the GTA.

Maximum rainfall amounts recorded

According to Environment Canada, which collected maximum rainfall amounts from local volunteers, Caledon, Vaughan and North York saw the most rainfall in the province on Wednesday, receiving 138.9, 133 and 118.1 millimetres respectively.

Mitchell, Ont., about 70 kilometres west of Kitchener, was drenched with 107.4 millimetres of rain while residents in Scarborough saw 105.9 millimetres fall.

A closer look at the storm that hit Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. Photo by Toronto Sun illustration /Roronto Hydro/@SashaZed (on X)/Environment Canada

Other cities and towns in and around the GTA also saw more than 50 millimetres of rain, including Thornhill (93.2), Bolton (92.5), Newmarket (82.9), Stouffville (73.2), Courtice (72.1), Markham (69.9), Richmond Hill (69.4), Mississauga (62.5), and Oakville (56.4).

Article content

“More than 150,000 customers were left without power across the province, including more than 50,000 from Hydro One and 65,000 from Toronto Hydro,” the report said. “Widespread flooding was reported in Toronto and Vaughan.”

A fallen tree sits atop a vehicle in Toronto’s Midtown area following a storm that brought hail, heavy rain and winds on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. Photo by Kevin Costain /X / @cwlco

Damage from severe hail and winds

The powerful storms also brought severe hail and strong winds that downed trees and powerlines in many areas, including damage to Rogers Stadium seating in North York and the roof partially torn off at Vaughan’s soccer facilities.

Volunteer observers reported very large hail measuring 2.5 to 6.5 centimetres over North York that shattered car windshields and apartment windows, Environment Canada added.

The government agency said wind gusts of up to 83 km/h were recorded at Toronto Pearson Airport and 76 km/h at Toronto Island Airport, but cautioned that radar estimated winds of more than 130 km/h were reported in the province.

Read More

1. 

   Toronto slowly returning to normal after massive storm damage

2. 

   AC/DC’s show at Rogers Stadium still in question; City orders engineer assessment
3. 

   Labour ministry investigating storm-blown swing stage

Article content