From the Archives
Marking the 70th anniversary of Hurricane Hazel
The City of Vaughan’s archives house more than 600 collections dating from the early 1700s to the present day. Within these files are the stories of how Vaughan evolved from the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island to the bustling city it has become.
Let’s look back at our history and share the stories of the people, places and moments that helped shape the city we know today. This month’s feature marks the 70th anniversary of Hurricane Hazel.
Dorothy Mitchell, a member of the Burwick Women’s Institute, recalls the night of Friday, Oct. 15, 1954, when heavy rain turned the quiet Humber River into a force of destruction. Hurricane Hazel caused the river to rise at an alarming rate, which destroyed surrounding bridges, homes and cars, and tragically took the lives of more than 80 people.
Shortly after the storm hit, The Woodbridge News reported that parts of the riverbank in Woodbridge were unrecognizable. The Humber River swept through homes, leaving behind massive craters, uprooting trees and wiping out landmarks. The historic dams at Woodbridge and Pine Grove were also destroyed as a result.
That night, 300-million tons of water fell from the sky over the Greater Toronto Area, with gusting winds that raged up to 115 kilometres per hour. In Vaughan, the Woodbridge neighbourhood was hit the hardest, with hundreds of people displaced from their homes. Eleven inches of rain caused the water level to rise 20 feet in less than one hour.
The emergency response to the disaster was immediate, with relief pouring in from neighbouring municipalities and national organizations. Under the supervision of local police and the Red Cross Society, water and food were handed out to residents, and clothing was distributed from the Woodbridge United Church auditorium. Naval units rowed 27-foot boats through the streets, working more than 17 hours nonstop to rescue stranded residents. Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army quickly arrived with ambulances and supplies. Local women’s institutes served up to 1,000 meals daily to those whose homes were destroyed by the hurricane. Temporary relief housing was also set up by the Provincial Government at the Woodbridge Fair Grounds for more than 150 people.
Since Hurricane Hazel hit 70 years ago, the Humber River has been rechanneled and its banks strengthened by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
Looking for more information about the history of Vaughan? The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The below galleries are available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
- From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
- Historical Families of Vaughan
- Historical Photography
- Past Mayors of Vaughan
- Prohibition in Vaughan
- Recollections of Rural Vaughan
- The Great Depression in Vaughan
- The Mary Wood Collection
- The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
- Vaughan’s Forgotten Heroes
- Vaughan Lodge Fonds
- Vaughan Working Environments
- Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine, Music and Sports and Recreation
- And more!
A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database or contact the City by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.
By managing and preserving both City and community records, the City’s Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.
For the latest updates, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
