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On Toronto Islands, lawns are now small lakes

Lakes turned into lawns and sand bag barriers: Here's what Toronto island looks like as the area continues to see heavy rainfall that isn't expected to stop until Saturday.

Ferry service restricted to residents and emergency personnel

CBC News ·
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the Greater Toronto Area, with up to 90 mm of rainfall projected before Saturday. (Lauren Pelley/CBC)

One of the areas hardest hit by the heavy rains is the Toronto Islands.

In addition to being a city park, the islands are home to about 700 people. 

The combination of the islands' low elevation, heavy rains and wind-blown waves off Lake Ontario left much of the island under water this morning. The water turned lawns into small lakes and covered many of the park's paths and beaches.

On Friday, residents and city crews worked together on Ward's Island to build sand bag barriers to protect homes from flooding. 

"We could have some serious flooding here as we did apparently back in 1974," said Mayor John Tory on Friday. 

CBC Toronto's Lauren Pelley spent the morning on the island and gathered these photos and video. 

The Canada geese weren't complaining after the heavy rains turned some of the island's lawns into lakes. (Lauren Pelley/CBC)

The city has restricted access to the island to residents and emergency personnel. 

Last night the city kept a ferry at Ward's Dock in case it was needed for an evacuation. Also, students at the island school were sent to another school in Toronto for the day. 

Heavy rainfall at Toronto islands

8 years ago
Duration 0:26
Heavy rainfall at Toronto islands

Residents on the Toronto Islands will be notified via TOFerry@toronto.ca if the ferry is brought into service for storm evacuation.

The low elevation and multiple water features on the Toronto islands mean structures there could be vulnerable to flooding, according to Nancy Gaffney a waterfront specialist with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

With Lake Ontario at its highest point in decades and with heavy rain already falling, the city has prepared for a possible evacuation of Toronto Island Park. (Lauren Pelley/CBC)

Environment Canada has updated its rainfall warning, saying Toronto could receive up to 70 millimetres through Saturday. 

The rain that began Thursday afternoon continued to fall Friday, but is expected to taper off into the weekend. 

There are around 700 residents that live on Ward's Island. (Lauren Pelley/CBC)

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