Toronto power outage today: thousands affected across downtown Toronto as Toronto Hydro and Hydro One respond to blackout.
A major Toronto power outage today (May 26, 2026) has left thousands of residents and businesses without electricity across parts of downtown Toronto. The outage began late Tuesday morning and affected a large section of the downtown core, including traffic lights, residential buildings, businesses, and some hospitals.
Toronto Police advised drivers to treat intersections without working traffic signals as four-way stops while emergency crews responded to the widespread outage. Reports indicate the blackout stretched from areas near the waterfront north toward Gerrard Street East between University Avenue and Yonge Street.
Toronto Hydro confirmed that approximately 2,000 customers were initially impacted, though the number of affected residents may be significantly higher because some condo and commercial buildings operate on bulk electricity systems.
Some downtown hospitals reportedly switched to emergency backup power systems during the outage. Officials at SickKids Hospital declared a temporary “code grey,” which is used during infrastructure or utility failures.
Hydro One stated that crews were responding to issues connected to the Terauley Transmission Station in downtown Toronto. Emergency teams are continuing to assess the damage before full restoration timelines can be confirmed. Toronto Hydro has said estimated restoration times remain under review.
Authorities continue urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas and to stay clear of any damaged electrical infrastructure while crews work to restore service.
FAQ
Q: Is there a power outage in Toronto today?
A: Yes, a major outage is affecting parts of downtown Toronto.
Q: Which areas are affected?
A: Parts of downtown Toronto between the waterfront, Gerrard Street East, University Avenue, and Yonge Street are impacted.
Q: How many people are without power?
A: Toronto Hydro initially reported around 2,000 affected customers, though actual numbers may be higher.
Q: What caused the Toronto power outage?
A: Officials are investigating issues connected to the Terauley Transmission Station.
Q: When will power be restored?
A: Restoration timelines are currently under review as crews continue assessments.