Remnants of Hurricane Beryl Bring Torrential Rains, Flooding Risk to Southern Ontario, Quebec

A vehicle navigates high waters on a flooded street in Houston, on July 8, 2024, after Hurricane Beryl came ashore in Texas. The hurricane’s remnants are expected to dump up to 100 millimetres of rain on parts of southern Ontario and Quebec. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Maria Lysaker)

A now-downgraded Hurricane Beryl that has claimed the lives of more than 20 people in the Caribbean and the U.S. has arrived in Canada, bringing with it torrential rains and the risk of flooding in parts of Ontario and Quebec.

The southern portions of Ontario and Quebec are under a rainfall warning as post-tropical storm Beryl tracks across both provinces July 10 dumping upward of 100 millimetres of rain in some areas.

Beryl, once a Level 5 hurricane, has lost much of its power, meaning Canadians don’t need to worry about a hurricane-force storm hitting, the Weather Network says.

“It can be easy to think that southern Ontario and Quebec is going to be struck by a hurricane-force storm when we say that the remnants of Beryl will reach the provinces. We can assure you, though, that is not the case,” the Weather Network Forecast Centre said in a statement. “Hurricanes need warm oceanic water to sustain themselves and will deteriorate rapidly when starved of that fuel.”

Beryl brought rainfall to the southwestern tip of Ontario overnight July 9 before reaching the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) early July 10 and will track across to southern Quebec by afternoon.

“These types of weather systems can give very high rainfall rates in torrential downpours,” Environment Canada said in a special weather advisory. “Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.”

Ontario

A large swath of Southern Ontario is under a rainfall warning with torrential downpours expected throughout the day July 10 before tapering off in the morning hours of July 11, Environment Canada said.

The Toronto region can expect heavy rain throughout the day and into this evening, receiving as much as 60 millimetres, the ministry advisory said, adding that periods of torrential downpours could result in rainfall rates of 20 to 40 millimetres per hour.

Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton warned of potentially severe weather in southeastern Ontario throughout the day with “embedded thunderstorms” in the GTA.

“Special attention needs to be paid for the risk of multiple thunderstorms, potentially severe southeast of the 401 closer to the international border,” Mr. Hamilton said in a July 9 broadcast. “Significant amount of storm energy and dynamics at play will keep that severe possible, just creeping into Niagara.”

Severe storms are likely to develop in both the southwestern and eastern shores of Lake Ontario and the eastern shores of Lake Erie and Niagara region, he said.

Heavy rains are expected as far north as the Bruce Peninsula, as far west as Sarnia, and as far east as Cornwall with up to 80 millimetres forecast for all three regions.

The nation’s capital is not currently under a rainfall warning, although Environment Canada says that could change if the weather system tracks farther north.

“At this point, the heaviest rain is expected to remain south of the region where rainfall warnings have been issued,” Environment Canada said, adding that Ottawa can still expect localized rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 millimetres through July 11.

The province has placed much of southern and central Ontario under a flood watch.

“The forecast rain, combined with isolated thunderstorms of high intensity (if they develop) can be expected to elevate water levels and produce significant amounts of localized runoff,” the advisory said. “As a result, some areas may experience an increased risk of overland flow and localized flooding in low-lying areas, areas with poor drainage and urbanized areas.”

Quebec

When Beryl makes its way east to Quebec later July 10, the Eastern Townships will be hardest hit with as much as 100 millimetres of rain falling, according to the Weather Network.

Areas including Montreal, Laval, and Sherbrooke will also receive significant amounts of rain, but aren’t expected to exceed 70 millimetres.

While most areas of Quebec are forecasted to have moderate winds, Salluit is under an Environment Canada wind advisory. The area can expect southwesterly winds gusting up to 90 kilometres per hour beginning in the evening and during the overnight hours.

“Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds,” the environment ministry said. “Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage.”

Like Ottawa, Gatineau is not under a rainfall warning, but Environment Canada said that could change because there is the potential for heavier rainfall.

Currently, the city can expect localized rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 millimetres.