A severe thunderstorm swept through Waterloo Region on Canada Day, leaving a trail of broken trees, downed power lines, and cancelled celebrations on July 1, 2026. Police say they took more than 60 reports of dangerous conditions as winds whipped through the area late that afternoon.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service said its communications centre was flooded with calls starting around 5 p.m. In the first hour alone, officers received over 45 reports of downed trees blocking roads, landing on houses and trailers, and tangling in power lines. By 6:30 p.m., the total had climbed to 64 calls for the evening.
The storm hit fast as a cold front moved through. Between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., the temperature plummeted from 34 C to 23 C, and wind speeds jumped to more than 60 kilometres per hour. Emergency officials warned everyone to treat any downed power lines as live and dangerous, and to never drive over them.
Victoria Park in Kitchener, where many had gathered for Canada Day, sustained damage to trees and power lines. The park was later closed by police around 8:45 p.m. due to safety concerns related to illegal fireworks use. In Cambridge, the city cancelled its fireworks show in the early evening as the storm bore down.
The winds also knocked out electricity for thousands. GrandBridge Energy reported nearly 964 customers lost power north of Concession Street and west of Franklin Boulevard in Cambridge. Another 2,865 residents in North Dumfries and Ayr were also left in the dark. Most lights were back on shortly before 9 p.m.
Environment Canada is still warning of hot and humid weather in the days ahead, with highs of 31 to 34 C that will feel closer to 45 C with the humidex. The forecast also calls for a 40 per cent chance or higher of thunderstorms or showers every day until July 6. Emergency officials are asking everyone to use extra caution, saying if you hear thunder, head inside and wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble before going back out.
