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
What would it mean if WHO declares the COVID-19 global emergency over?
Monday could mark a major milestone in the history of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the World Health Organization stands poised to decide whether or not to declare an end to the global public health emergency.
Federal departments failed to spend $38B on promised programs, services last year
The federal government failed to spend tens of billions of dollars in the last fiscal year on promised programs and services, including new military equipment, affordable housing and support for veterans.
NDP to call for emergency debate in House of Commons over private health care
Federal New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh says he will call on the House of Commons to hold an emergency debate on the privatization of health care.
Parliamentarians return to House of Commons facing rocky economic year
Economic matters will be top of mind for parliamentarians as they return to Ottawa to kick off a new year in federal politics.
Suicide bomber kills 28, wounds 150 at mosque in NW Pakistan
A suicide bomber struck Monday inside a mosque within a police compound in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing at least 28 people and wounding as many as 150 worshippers, most of them policemen, officials said.
23 vehicles towed, dozens of tickets issued as rally marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa
OPS and Ottawa Bylaw officers issued 192 parking tickets and 67 Provincial Offences Notices in downtown Ottawa this weekend, as people gathered marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.
Once-in-a-lifetime discovery: Indigenous jacket more than a century old turns up in small U.K. town
When 1990s suede fringe jackets started making a comeback last year, a U.K.-based vintage clothing company decided to order four tonnes of suede from a supplier in the United States. Along with that shipment came a once-in-a lifetime discovery.
Father pushing Manitoba to follow Ontario, Saskatchewan in screening for CMV
Roughly one in 200 babies born in Canada today will have congenital cytomegalovirus, a virus that can lead to hearing loss, intellectual disability or vision loss. But with only two provinces screening newborns for CMV, one father is asking other health-care systems to do more.
Quebec basic income program begins, but advocates say many low-income people excluded
Anti-poverty activists are praising the Quebec basic income program as a good step toward helping people meet their basic needs — but say strict eligibility criteria exclude many of the province’s lowest-income residents.
Kitchener
-
Local group organizes townhall with WRPS Chief to discuss action against hate crimes
Sunday marks the 6th anniversary of a deadly attack at a Quebec City mosque where six men were killed and five others were critically injured.
-
No injuries after fire at Cambridge McDonald’s
The Cambridge Fire Department said there were no injuries after a fire at a Mcdonald’s on Main Street in Cambridge.
-
'Could have been catastrophic': Fire official credits CO detector in helping save two people
The Waterloo Fire Department is crediting a working carbon monoxide (CO) detector for potentially helping to save the lives of two people early Sunday morning.
Windsor
-
Double digit wind chill temperatures in Windsor-Essex
A sunny but cold week is on the way for Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent. Temperatures will be reaching highs of what is typically forecast as the average low for this time of year.
-
Protestors, faith leaders, DWBIA chair call for Windsor city council to support SafePoint location
As Windsor city councillors consider rescinding their support for the previously-approved location for the SafePoint consumption and treatment site (CTS), protestors are expected to be outside city hall demanding the project move forward as scheduled.
-
Fire destroys LaSalle, Ont. home overnight
No one was home at the time of a house fire which started at 3 a.m. on Sunday. LaSalle Fire Service Chief Ed Thiessen said by the time crews arrived at 1077 Reaume Road the house was “fully involved” so they had to fight the fire from the outside.
Northern Ontario
-
What would it mean if WHO declares the COVID-19 global emergency over?
Monday could mark a major milestone in the history of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the World Health Organization stands poised to decide whether or not to declare an end to the global public health emergency.
-
23 vehicles towed, dozens of tickets issued as rally marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa
OPS and Ottawa Bylaw officers issued 192 parking tickets and 67 Provincial Offences Notices in downtown Ottawa this weekend, as people gathered marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.
-
'24,' 'Runaways' actor Annie Wersching has died at 45
Actor Annie Wersching, best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series '24' and providing the voice for Tess in the video game 'The Last of Us' has died. She was 45.
Ottawa
-
23 vehicles towed, dozens of tickets issued as rally marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa
OPS and Ottawa Bylaw officers issued 192 parking tickets and 67 Provincial Offences Notices in downtown Ottawa this weekend, as people gathered marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.
-
Power outage partially shuts down O-Train service Sunday evening
A section of Ottawa's Confederation Line was out of service for more than 90 minutes Sunday evening due to a power outage. Full service resumed just after 10 p.m.
-
Red flag flying on Rideau Canal Skateway forces festival to cancel event
With the world's largest skating rink still closed, the Ice Dragon Boat Festival scheduled for next weekend has been cancelled.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Truck rollover, diesel spill blocking highway access to Toronto Pearson Airport
A truck rollover that resulted in a diesel spill is blocking highway accessing to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
-
'She told the truth:' Hazel McCallion’s children mourn her death but celebrate her life
Following the death of former long-time Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion on Sunday, two of her children shared what made her special, both as a mayor and a mother.
-
Funeral for former Ontario lieutenant-governor David Onley to be held today
A funeral is set to take place today in Toronto for former Ontario lieutenant-governor David Onley.
Montreal
-
Montreal Canadiens: Carey Price family looking to move, sell home
Months after a knee injury put Montreal goaltender Carey Price off the ice for the 2023 season, the Price family says they're preparing to leave the province.
-
Six-year-old dies after incident at Quebec ski resort
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
-
Quebec basic income program begins, but advocates say many low-income people excluded
Anti-poverty activists are praising the Quebec basic income program as a good step toward helping people meet their basic needs — but say strict eligibility criteria exclude many of the province’s lowest-income residents.
Atlantic
-
'I personally am affected by that': Nova Scotians express outrage over death of Tyre Nichols
Horror, outrage, and pain are just a few words Robert Wright uses to describe his feelings after watching Tyre Nichols pinned and assaulted by officers in Memphis.
-
Actress and former senator Viola Leger, best known as La Sagouine, dies at 92
Actress, teacher and former senator Viola Leger has died at the age of 92.
-
Strike action begins at Memorial University of Newfoundland after deadline passes
More than 800 faculty members at Newfoundland's Memorial University are on strike. The Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association confirmed in an email to The Canadian Press that the job action began at midnight NST after the deadline passed to reach an agreement with the school.
Winnipeg
-
Jennifer Jones returns to Canadian women's curling championship in Manitoba colours
Jennifer Jones wins Manitoba's women's curling championship
-
Extreme cold prompts school, bus cancellations in Manitoba
As much of Manitoba experiences extreme wind chill values on Monday, some Manitoba schools and buses are cancelled.
-
Frigid cold and extreme wind chills being felt across much of Manitoba
Manitobans are going to want to bundle up on Monday morning as much of the province is experiencing freezing temperatures.
Calgary
-
Foothills Fieldhouse discussion returning to Calgary City Hall
The Foothills Athletic Park redesign could get a little closer to reality on Monday.
-
The day the beer cooler fried: Craft brewer closes due to suddenly exploding suds
A Calgary craft beer store experienced its worst-case scenario Saturday night.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Warmer conditions return to Calgary following frigid weekend
Temperatures will remain somewhat composed for a few days, with some stronger west wind expected this evening, relative to today – this will generate an uptrend that pushes us closer to zero.
Edmonton
-
Alberta landowners fear repeat of orphan well crisis as renewable energy booms
Across rural Alberta, concerns are growing about the long-term implications of the province's renewable energy boom — the speed and scale of which has been nothing short of stunning.
-
Ukraine needs more weapons, more quickly: Zelenskyy
Ukraine needs new weapons and faster deliveries to confront a 'very tough' situation of constant attacks by Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday.
-
Community town hall to focus on future of Hwy 16A and Range Road 20 intersection
The future of an intersection west of Edmonton in Parkland County, known by some as the "death trap" for being the scene of multiple crashes, continues to be reviewed by the provincial government.
Vancouver
-
Dozens of animals killed in fire at Surrey exotic animal rescue
A fire at an exotic animal rescue in Surrey killed dozens of animals and displaced many more over the weekend.
-
Orthopaedic surgeries down 25% in B.C. public hospitals as private sector picks up slack
Orthoopaedic surgeons report that they’re doing only three quarters of the surgeries they used to in B.C.'s public hospitals, with an increasing number of taxpayer-funded procedures carried out in private facilities
-
B.C. couple says they were scammed by 'professional' wedding photographer who used stock images as portfolio
A Vancouver couple says they were scammed by a wedding photographer who used stock photos for his portfolio, delivered sub-par snaps of their big day, and then stopped taking their phone calls.