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Firefighters attend to the scene on Lyall Road, a tree and hydro poll are down due to strong weather on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012.
Canada - Tens of thousands of residents across Ontario were without power early Tuesday morning as a powerful storm system worked its way through the province.

As post-tropical cyclone Sandy slammed into New Jersey's southern coast late Monday, its effects were immediately felt throughout the GTA, as high winds and heavy rain downed tree branches and power lines.

Early Tuesday, power outages affected:
  • More than 60,000 Hydro One customers
  • 26,000 Toronto Hydro customers
  • More than 15,000 Powersource customers
  • About 250 Enersource customers
In announcing widespread power outages late Monday night, Energy Minister Chris Bentley said that, "Trained crews of professionals are onsite across Ontario and working to restore power safely and as quickly as possible."

Toronto Hydro reassured residents earlier Monday they had 80 crews on standby to respond to calls as opposed to the usual 15 crews that they keep at the ready.

In the Beaches area where many homes lost power early Monday evening, police asked residents to stay in their homes after strong winds brought down older trees in the neighbourhood.

While distribution lines were affected throughout the province, Bentley said Ontario Power Generation's generating systems are designed to withstand severe weather.

"The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is closely monitoring the situation and is taking steps to increase Ontario's ability to respond to changing circumstances, including keeping additional generation at the ready should it be required," he said.

Though Sandy was downgraded from a hurricane to a post-tropical cyclone before it made landfall in New Jersey Monday night, the storm was still packing hurricane-force winds.

Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the GTA just before 9 p.m., saying winds of between 60 and 100 kilometres per hour were anticipated overnight. The warning also included other areas stretching from Windsor to Cornwall.

Police said strong winds were likely to blame for the death of one woman who succumbed to her injuries after being struck by a piece of debris that fell from a sign outside a Staples Depot near Keele Street and St. Clair Avenue around 7:10 p.m.

The sign was seen flapping in the wind after the woman was struck.

In spots around the GTA, there were also reports of damage from downed power lines and trees.

Province on Standby

Earlier Monday, Ontario's Minister of Community Safety Madeline Meilleur told media that emergency responders were on standby in the province and ready to help of any municipalities that request aid.

"Emergency Management Ontario and our first responder agencies remain vigilant on the eve of the storm's landfall," Meilleur said.

She said the greatest dangers from the storm were likely to be downed power wires and trees that could cause power outages and damage.

"We are expecting high winds up to 120 kilometres per hour and we know when there is wind it will affect the electricity lines. So we have to be ready for that," Meilleur said.

The ORNGE Air Ambulance service grounded its fleet in Toronto, Ottawa and London as of 2 p.m. Monday afternoon because of the high winds, but land ambulances will still be responding to calls.

Residents were also warned to take care of their own safety.

In a bulletin Monday afternoon, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority noted wet weekend weather has left the ground saturated. As a result, the TRCA said the new rainfall expected overnight could lead to flooding of underpasses and other low-lying areas of the city.

The TRCA suggested anyone lured to possible "high waves of visual interest on Lake Ontario" should avoid the temptation. "Please stay well back from shorelines, particularly near the Scarborough Bluffs, as conditions will be extremely dangerous."

What to watch for
  • Keep an eye out for downed trees or wires and call 311 to report them to the city
  • Check around catch basins to make sure there are no leaves clogging drainage ways
  • Check around homes to make sure down spouts are functioning properly to divert water away from house foundations, as heavy rains could cause flooding
  • Watch for flying objects brought on by strong winds
  • Schools will decide Tuesday whether to cancel classes for the day
  • Travellers are encouraged to check with their airline before leaving for the airport as hundreds of flights in and out of Pearson International Airport have already been cancelled. Porter Airlines has cancelled all its flights to Newark, Boston and Washington for Monday and Tuesday.
How to prepare
  • Make sure you have a three-day supply of food and water, baby food and any needed medications
  • Keep a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, candles and matches
  • Stay tuned to news reports and check Emergency Management Ontario's website for important updates
  • Take in or tie down lawn furniture and other items from balconies and backyards that could be picked up and tossed about by strong winds
  • Stay home if possible; Avoid waterways, lakes and low-lying areas if possible
  • Leave enough room on roads for emergency vehicles to park
  • Check on seniors, and vulnerable neighbours and relatives to make sure they are alright
  • Make sure to have a three day supply of food and water for pets as well