Warnings issued as remnants of hurricane Patricia move through southern Ontario

TORONTO – Rain and wind warnings and flood watches have been issued as the remnants of hurricane Patricia move across southern Ontario today, making for a messy morning commute in some areas.

Forecasters predicted a “large shield of rain” in advance of the system they said would push into southwestern Ontario overnight and move into the Niagara and Toronto regions this morning.

The rain started in the Windsor area early today and has become quite heavy, while light rain reached the Toronto area in time for the morning rush hour.

Significant street flooding here in Port Stanley and the heaviest rains are still moving in. #onstorm @jwhittalTWN pic.twitter.com/iPfXXLdBY0

— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) October 28, 2015

Emergency Management Ontario is urging drivers and pedestrians to be careful as the rain is causing poor visibility and roads may be slippery.

Toronto police say the weather may have been a factor in at least nine collisions involving pedestrians this morning. None have been fatal so far.

Environment Canada has issued warnings and special weather statements, advising the storm will continue to move steadily into central and eastern Ontario throughout the day – bringing fierce winds, heavy rains and possible power outages.

At least one conservation area has issued a flood watch, and Environment Canada is warning of possible water pooling on roads. Hashtags including #ONstorm have been created for monitoring the storm on Twitter.

The weather agency says rainfall amounts of 45 to 55 millimetres are expected, with winds gusting up to 70 kilometres an hour, with the storm hitting harder closer to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Forecasters say the storm should end by Friday as it moves east into Quebec.

10 ppl hit by cars in Toronto this AM. Reminder to #slowdown when driving in rain: https://t.co/SNLkOYmUlk #ONstorm pic.twitter.com/lgr1LvRoyp

— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) October 28, 2015