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Thunderstorm damages Rogers Stadium, threatening Sept. 16 AC/DC show

9/4/2026

22 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Rogers Stadium Damage

Live Nation Canada says Rogers Stadium sustained significant damage after a severe thunderstorm, threatening the Sept. 16 AC/DC concert.
Bleachers buckled, seating sections tore, and debris littered the 50,000-seat open-air venue.
Environment and Climate Change Canada recorded winds over 80 mph and more than 100 mm of rain.
Officials report no injuries and are assessing repairs, promising to update the public on concert readiness.

Summary

Mayor Chow Activates

Toronto Fire Service handled the second-largest call volume in its history, receiving over 1,500 calls in 24 hours.
Mayor Olivia Chow activated the city’s emergency operations centre.
Mayor Chow urged residents to avoid downed power lines.
Toronto Hydro reported 5,700 customers without power Thursday evening, down from a peak of 65,000.
The Don Valley Parkway southbound lanes reopened Thursday after flooding, while northbound remained closed.

History

Historical Context

The Ice Storm of 5 January 1998, triggered by an El Niño-linked winter system, knocked out power for 4.3 million Ontario Hydro customers and caused roughly $2 billion in damage across Ontario and Quebec. Earlier that month, Mayor Mel Lastman summoned the Canadian Army to clear record snowfall, underscoring the region’s winter-weather vulnerability and prompting later grid-hardening and emergency-response reforms.

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Rogers Stadium Damage

Live Nation Canada says Rogers Stadium sustained significant damage after a severe thunderstorm, threatening the Sept. 16 AC/DC concert.
Bleachers buckled, seating sections tore, and debris littered the 50,000-seat open-air venue.
Environment and Climate Change Canada recorded winds over 80 mph and more than 100 mm of rain.
Officials report no injuries and are assessing repairs, promising to update the public on concert readiness.

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