Were you or an ancestor in Toronto 70 years ago?
Today marks the 70th anniversary of devastating Hurricane Hazel, which struck the Toronto area on 15-16 October 1954. It was Toronto’s worst natural disaster, leaving 81 dead, nearly 1900 families homeless, and causing between $25 and $100 million in damages.
During the storm, winds reached 124 km/h, and over 200 millimetres of rain fell in 24 hours. The heavily flooded areas were expropriated and barred from having homes, and most of the land was later converted into an extensive park system along Toronto’s rivers.
Read more on Wikipedia.
Fascinating John. Congrats. It’s not as if this hasn’t been timely. Cheers, BT
I live in Etobicoke during Hurricane Hazel and our mother was so afraid as our father was returning from a trip that night (he worked in safety appliances and with Emergency workers). We kids watched the storm from the upper hallway window. Dad was OK, but took us out the next day to see the damage in the Humber river, with people and dogs sitting on the rooves of submerged houses. I have the Betty Kennedy book on HH as a reminder of that night and following days.
Yes, I was on the pier in Oakville. When I got home my grandparents gave me heck for being down there. It was only two blocks from our house. I told them it was just a little windy, I was only 6 years old! I will never forget it!
I remember the week end very well. At that time I was teaching in Burlington,and afterschool Friday I left to go to my home in Barrie for a dental appointment on Saturday. I dropped a colleague off at her home in Hornby and proceeded through Brampton to highway 27. On #27 I realized that I would not be able to get home and in Nobleton I was fortunate to be able to stay with Mrs. Hambley overnight. at some point, we had no electricity. The next morningthe rian had stopped and after Mrs. Hambley gave me breakfast, I set out. What a dive! Everygully was flooded and a long stretch of # 27 as well. The car stalled on me twice, the second time i was near a garage and they did repairs promptly. At Schomberg I met two young ladies who had been stranded there overnight and I gave them a ride to Cookstown. I never made the dental appointment. On my return Sunday night I detoured through Guelph because I couldn’t find out which roads were open. Everyone knew some person who was affected in some way.
I was 4. I remember my Mother being very scared and we all had to go to the basement of our home in the Mount Dennis area of Toronto. I do not recall any of the elements like the wind or rain.