Toronto’s Rogers Stadium sustained “significant damage” during Wednesday’s powerful thunderstorms, with Chopper 24 video showing rows of bleacher seats tangled and destroyed with debris scattered across the venue. In an email to CTV News Thursday, the venue noted that no employees or on-site contractors were injured during the storm but that staff are “assessing the extent of the damage.” The wreckage comes less than two weeks before AC/DC is scheduled to perform there. “As a result of yesterday’s extreme weather, Rogers Stadium sustained significant damage,” officials wrote. “We are currently assessing the extent of the damage and will provide further information as it becomes available.” Extensive damage visible from the air The CP24 / CTV News Toronto helicopter hovered over the stadium shortly before 9 a.m. where video appears to show dozens of bleachers completely tangled and destroyed, with sections of seating damaged from top to bottom. Several nearby tents and temporary structures also appeared to have been destroyed, while large amounts of debris seen scattered throughout the area. Rogers Stadium did not yet provide details about the specific damaged structures or an estimated cost of repairs. How bad was the storm? Powerful thunderstorms on Wednesday night brought heavy rain, golf ball-sized hail and destructive wind gusts in excess of 110 km/h. The storms caused widespread flooding, knocked down trees and power lines and at one point, left 65,000 residents without electricity. Several major roads were also flooded, including the DVP and Gardiner Expressway, with some drivers requiring rescue from submerged vehicles. The severe weather also prompted emergency alerts warning residents to seek shelter indoors, while Environment Canada issued weather advisories across southern Ontario, including tornado warnings. With AC/DC set to perform on Sept. 16, it remains unclear whether the concert will be affected. The venue holds a maximum capacity of 50,000 people.
