Woman killed by flying sign as Sandy’s winds batter Toronto

National Post Staff | Oct 29, 2012 8:42 PM ET | Last Updated: Oct 29, 2012 11:21 PM ET
More from National Post Staff

Galit Rodan for National Post A woman was killed around St. Clair Avenue and Keele Street Monday after being struck by the reverse side of this Staples sign, which fell during a period of high winds.

Toronto HydroToronto Hydro's power outage map as of 8:52 p.m. Monday. Hurricane Sandy's winds have put thousands out of power.

A Toronto pedestrian struck by a flying sign appears to be the first fatality of Hurricane Sandy to occur on Canadian soil.

Just after sunset on Monday evening, a woman walking near a Staples Business Depot in west Toronto was struck by a sign blown free by high winds and later pronounced dead at the scene, Toronto Police confirmed.

A police spokesman says winds were about 65 kilometres per hour in the area at the time the woman was hit by flying debris while walking along a west-end street.

The backlit Staples sign itself had come loose from its mount at the entrance to the store’s parking lot, plummeting roughly 10 metres to the ground and coming to rest across the street.

Winds in Toronto are expected to peak at 100 km/h near midnight. By early in the evening, thousands were already out of power in Toronto.

“If the forecasts are what they say they are, I’ve been with Toronto Hydro for 25, 30 years, I don’t think we’ve seen one come through as strong as this one,” said Blair Peberdy, a vice president at Toronto Hydro, said earlier Monday.

“It’s the length and scope of this storm that is different,” added city manager Joe Pennachetti, noting a lot will have to do with whether the storm petters off overnight, or lasts throughout the week. He said Toronto is expecting 30 millimetres of rain between midnight and noon Tuesday.

Andrew Burton / Getty Images Fire fighters evaluate the scene of an apartment building which had the front wall collapse due to Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012 in New York, United States. 

 

Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening. 

 

Mayor Ford urged residents to secure and store loose items, including Halloween decorations, yard furniture, and waste bins, and stock up on basic supplies, such as water, food, batteries and flashlights. He asked people to make sure sewer grades and catch basins near their homes are clear of dirt and leaves to prevent flooding.

If power goes out, drivers should treat intersections that have traffic lights as four way stops, he said. For non emergencies, call 311 for information.

“As always, you should be smart. Take care of your families first and look out for your neighbours second,” said Mayor Ford.



The city was also braced for flooding in parts of North York, Rexdale, the southern Beach and Scarborough are prone to basement flooding during intense storms. Lou Di Geronimo, general manager of Toronto Water, says the sewer system should be able to keep up with this storm because rain fall is expected over several hours, instead of in a short bursts.

Still, difficulties may arise if leaves get into catch basins and start plugging up sewers. The Bayview Extension and Hogg’s Hollow are susceptible to flooding. The city deployed extra sweepers to those areas to clear leaves.
National Post