As dawn broke on Thursday October 14, 1954, Hurricane Hazel reached Southern Ontario after lashing the eastern United States. By midnight Friday, October 15, an estimated 209 mm of rain had fallen, creating massive floods throughout Metro.
The resulting damage was severe. Just upstream, flood waters tore loose a footbridge that crossed the Humber River. The river rose 6 metres, sweeping away 14 homes on Raymore Drive and killing 32 residents in one hour.
After Hurricane Hazel, the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority was established to promote watershed management and public ownership of the floodplain. Raymore Park was then dedicated in memory of Hurricane Hazel's many victims and survivors.
In 1995, a new footbridge was constructed by Metro Toronto with support from the Province of Ontario, representing a substantial step towards the completion of the Humber Trail and greenway system.