Wind storm knocks out power lines, traffic lights and branches in London, Ont.
A strong wind storm caused by a fast-moving cold front resulted in power disruptions in London Saturday morning.
Numerous 9-1-1 calls flooded dispatchers shortly after 9 a.m. as a sudden wall of heavy rain and wind hit the city.
The gusts took down power lines in multiple locations, including an alarming incident in a city park off Darlene Crescent.
There, a dangling power line made contact several times causing fiery explosions, cracking and arching of other lines.
London firefighters were sent to monitor the scene before London Hydro crews arrived.
Wicked winds in London, Ont. on Dec. 3, 2022 caused power outages across the city. Traffic lights were down at the intersection of Commissioners Road and Andover Drive. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
There were similar reports throughout the Forest City.
In addition, multiple trees in the south end shed branches over residential roadways.
Traffic lights were also knocked out, or were flashing caution following the power bumps.
Emergency calls from concerned residents slowed after 10 a.m
Wind warning impacts southern Ontario
According to Environment Canada, the fierce winds seen in the London region are part of a wider wind warning issued for much of southern Ontario, with the following local counties included:
- London-Middlesex
- Huron-Perth
- Grey-Bruce
- Elgin
- Sarnia-Lambton
The main hazards include strong westerly winds gusting up to 90 km/h in the wake of a strong cold front Saturday morning into the afternoon.
Environment Canada said the strongest winds will last only for an hour or so as the cold front passes.
Winds are expected to ease up early Saturday evening, with sustained winds at 30 km/h, and gusting up to 50 km/h.
Members of the London Fire Department are seen in London, Ont. on Dec. 3, 2022 as a fierce wind storm cut through the region, knocking out power across the city. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Environment Canada warns that the strong winds can damage soft shelters, and outdoor tents and awnings. High winds may snap tree branches and toss around loose objects. Utility outages are also possible.
According to London Hydro, there are no longer any outages in the city.
Here’s a look at London’s forecast for the rest of the week:
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. High of -1 C, feeling like -7 with the wind chill.
Monday: Cloudy. High of 4 C.
Tuesday: Cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers. High of 7 C.
Wednesday: Cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers. High of 5 C.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of flurries or rain showers. High of 2 C.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. High of 1 C.
— With files from CTV News London's Ashley Hyshka
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.