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Thousands of residents are without power and a number of Toronto streets are flooded with rainwater as the city remains under a severe thunderstorm warning.

Widespread flooding was reported across the city, as cars submerged in rainwater were left abandoned on major roadways. As of 7 p.m., subway service was shut from St. Clair West to Downsview Station, from Osgoode to Bloor Station, from Lawrence to Finch Station, from Kipling to Ossington Station, and on the Sheppard line.

Residents bombarded social media sites with images of several feet of water on sidewalks and streets, under bridges, in parking lots and even on TTC buses.

Flooding closed the Don Valley Parkway between the Bayview-Bloor exit to the Gardiner Expressway.

According to Environment Canada, there is a slow moving cluster of thunderstorms with “very heavy downpours capable of producing localized flash flooding.” The line of thunderstorms has already passed over the Mississauga and Brampton regions, and is slowly moving eastward.

Total rainfall surpassed 90 millimetres in some areas, the agency said, and is expected to exceed 100 mm before the rainfall tapers off later this evening.

The weather agency is warning motorists to avoid driving through water on roads.

“Even shallow fast moving water across a road can sweep a vehicle away. Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.”

Toronto Hydro reported “significant outages across the city due to the storm,” and advised residents to call 416-542-8000 to report an outage.

The storm cancelled all flights out of Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport, and led to numerous delays and cancellations at Pearson International Airport.

In Toronto, Twitter users across the city expressed shock as dark clouds suddenly blackened the skyline and it began to pour at approximately 4:30 p.m.

“Saw a mercedes300 FULLY submerged in a storm ditch in the side of the road by Pearson Airport,” one user tweeted.

“Loving the rain but no power and can’t find a flashlight to do work,” tweeted another.

Mayor Rob Ford also took to Twitter to warn residents to be careful as they make their way home.

“Be advised that we are experiencing heavy rain that may cause flooding across the City. Staff are monitoring the situation very closely,” read a tweet on the mayor’s official account.

“Please exercise caution, report flooding and avoid flooded areas. Staff will respond to reports of localized flooding as required.”

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(Source: CTV News)