The city did not close the Don Valley Parkway Thursday afternoon despite earlier flooding concerns due to the heavy and continued rainfall.

Officials said they will continue to monitor the Don River and would not rule out closing the parkway at some point Thursday if levels become dangerous.

Closing the major north-south roadway at rush hour would have caused headaches and chaos for thousands of commuters who rely on it.

The Bayview extension south of Pottery Road would have also been affected.

The most vulnerable section of the parkway is the stretch of road south of Bloor Street, officials said.

Toronto could be lashed by as much as one-month's worth of rain on Thursday, prompting safety bulletin warnings for rising streams, creeks and rivers.

Environment Canada says the city can expect between 25 to 35 millimetres of rainfall until midnight, and there is a risk of a thunderstorm. The record amount of rain in one day is 24.2 millimetres, set in 1981.

"We could get a November's worth of rain in one day," Environment Canada's weather guru David Phillips told the Star.

He said Thursday's deluge could boost the city's forecasted rainfall to as high as 75 millimetres -- more than the November average of 69.

The rain that fell overnight and Thursday morning caused flooded streets and shorted the electrical system in some vehicles.

There were numerous traffic accidents during the morning commute, including a serious crash between a van and car at Dufferin and College streets at about 7 a.m.

One woman involved in the accident had to stay in her vehicle until paramedics could safely remove her and take her to hospital. Her injuries were considered non-life-threatening.

Toronto's marine unit was keeping an eye out for people getting too close to the Lake Ontario shoreline, making sure some of the homeless people who stay around the banks did not get swept away.

City of Toronto officials are urging residents to clear debris from their sewers and clean out eavestroughs to protect themselves from flooding.

A high-water safety bulletin issued yesterday by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority continues today. Parents are being urged to keep their children away from fast-moving rivers, streams and lakes.

Officials also encourage people to prepare for power outages by keeping a flashlight with fresh batteries and supplies on hand.

More rain is expected overnight and into Friday. Environment Canada predicts the rain will last until Monday.

The City of Toronto has a 24-hour hotline at 416-338-8888 to report a blocked basement drain or sewer back-up on its property.

With a report from CTV's Austin Delaney