Latest news with #NorthernTornadoesProject
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Four years since powerful storm unleashed fury in Barrie neighbourhood
Damage to a home on Majesty Boulevard in Barrie after an EF-2 tornado struck the neighbourhood on Thu., July 15, 2021. (CTV News) Tuesday marks four years since a powerful storm, with winds topping 210 kilometres per hour, caused mass damage in a Barrie neighbourhood. A sneak attack, Environment Canada called it, that left destruction in its wake. July 15, 2021, an EF-2 tornado tore through the south east end of the city for roughly 10 to 15 unnerving and terrifying minutes as residents hunkered down where they could, waiting for it to end. Experts reported the destructive storm tracked across an area 12.5 kilometres long and 510 metres wide. Dozens of residents were displaced after their homes were deemed unsafe, an outcome that would carry over several years for some. The storm prompted researchers to explore why so many houses were torn apart, with a focus on strengthening builds to avoid this in the future. Experts have since called on builders to install hurricane straps to help homes better withstand severe winds and prevent roofs from being easily ripped away. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the tornado resulted in more than 2,200 insurance claims, amounting to over $100 million in damage. Officials said 11 people were injured. New information has been released since that day, with Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) reporting the Barrie EF-2 tornado was just one of nine to touch down across Ontario. NTP also reports the July 2021 Barrie twister was the second most powerful of the 100 tornadoes documented across Canada that year, just slightly behind the May 25 storm that hit Petit Lac Bull Rock in Quebec with wind speeds of 215 km/h.
CBC
15-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Sask. has seen more tornadoes this year than the rest of Canada combined: tracking project
So far this year, 17 tornadoes have touched down in Saskatchewan, according to a Western University-based tornado tracking project — 10 of which hit the province in a single day. The tornadoes have all been reported in south and central parts of the province, with the majority recorded in the areas between Estevan and Saskatoon, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project, a research project based at the London, Ont., university that tracks tornado activity across Canada. David Sills, the director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, said 12 of those tornadoes touched down during a three-day span, from June 19-21. Of those, 10 were confirmed on June 19, and two from June 21. Those came after two tornadoes touched down near Cut Knife on June 2, and were followed by another tornado on June 29 near Stockholm, in eastern Saskatchewan. Two of the June 19 tornadoes were rated EF-2 on the enhanced Fujita scale, and three others were rated EF-1. "These are strong tornadoes that are capable of ripping a rooftop, a home," said Sills. RAW | Man shares video of tornado he says touched down briefly near Balgonie, Sask. 25 days ago Duration 0:21 Harrison Webster shared this video with CBC News and said he saw a tornado touch down near Balgonie, east of Regina, Thursday afternoon. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued several tornado warnings for parts of Saskatchewan late afternoon on June 19. The others were rated EF-0, which indicates sustained wind of 105 to 137 km/h, and a tornado capable of causing light damage, like snapping or uprooting trees. On average, from 2017 to 2024, Saskatchewan has seen about 14 tornadoes a year, according to the tornado projects data, but the number can range widely. There were 26 reported tornadoes in Saskatchewan in 2022, but only one in 2023. Last year, there were 19. So far this year, Saskatchewan has seen more tornadoes than the 13 reported in the rest of the country combined, according to the project's data. There have been four each in Alberta and Quebec, two each in Manitoba and Ontario, and one in B.C. this year, according to the tracking project. "It feels like this is Saskatchewan kind of reasserting itself and saying, 'yeah, tornadoes do happen here, and sometimes they're the big ones,'" Sills said. There have been no fatalities associated with any confirmed tornadoes in Canada so far this year, Sills said. Although it's not uncommon to see multiple tornadoes in one day, Sills said the number in Saskatchewan on June 19 was the biggest tornado outbreak he's seen since starting the Northern Tornadoes Project in 2017. The June 19 tornadoes included an EF-1 in the Blackstrap Lake area, south of Saskatoon, and an EF-0 in Young, southwest of Saskatoon. The others were in the province's southeast: Two in Frobisher (including an EF-2). Two in Kronau (including an EF-2). An EF-1 in South Touchwood. An EF-1 in Hubbard. One in Vibank. One in Hirsch. Sills said it was a stroke of luck that one of the homes hit by a tornado had special bracing in place. "That actually prevented the roof from coming up. It's good to see that some folks are taking those kinds of precautions," he said. Although there's no exact meteorological reason why Saskatchewan has received this many tornadoes, periods of extreme heat have played a factor, said Sills. "That's based on timing of frontal systems as they move across and whether that timing coincides with the peak heating for the day, where that peak heating occurs. So it's just a matter of some coincidence." Hubbard twister tore trees out Kayla Chamberlin and her partner, Shawn Hanofski, said they saw a tornado touch down in the yard of their rural home near Hubbard, Sask., about 115 kilometres northeast of Regina, on June 19. Hanofski said he couldn't believe their house was still standing after the tornado passed through. Chamberlain was shocked too. "You could hear things being smacked up against the house," she said. Their home suffered slight damage, like shingles being ripped off their roof. But the couple said the real damage was to farm equipment and to the land, with entire trees being ripped out of the ground. Sills said June and July are typically peak tornado season and that things should calm down into next month. "The numbers actually start to decline typically as we get into August, and then come the fall, it pretty much shuts down on the prairies. Hopefully we've seen the peak and we'll tail off now."
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sask. has seen more tornadoes this year than the rest of Canada combined: tracking project
So far this year, 17 tornadoes have touched down in Saskatchewan, according to a Western University-based tornado tracking project — 10 of which hit the province in a single day. The tornadoes have all been reported in south and central parts of the province, with the majority recorded in the areas between Estevan and Saskatoon, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project, a research project based at the London, Ont., university that tracks tornado activity across Canada. David Sills, the director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, said 12 of those tornadoes touched down during a three-day span, from June 19-21. Of those, 10 were confirmed on June 19, and two from June 21. Those came after two tornadoes touched down near Cut Knife on June 2, and were followed by another tornado on June 29 near Stockholm, in eastern Saskatchewan. Two of the June 19 tornadoes were rated EF-2 on the enhanced Fujita scale, and three others were rated EF-1. "These are strong tornadoes that are capable of ripping a rooftop, a home," said Sills. WATCH | Witness says tornado touched down near Balgonie on June 19: The others were rated EF-0, which indicates sustained wind of 105 to 137 km/h, and a tornado capable of causing light damage, like snapping or uprooting trees. On average, from 2017 to 2024, Saskatchewan has seen about 14 tornadoes a year, according to the tornado projects data, but the number can range widely. There were 26 reported tornadoes in Saskatchewan in 2022, but only one in 2023. Last year, there were 19. So far this year, Saskatchewan has seen more tornadoes than the 13 reported in the rest of the country combined, according to the project's data. There have been four each in Alberta and Quebec, two each in Manitoba and Ontario, and one in B.C. this year, according to the tracking project. "It feels like this is Saskatchewan kind of reasserting itself and saying, 'yeah, tornadoes do happen here, and sometimes they're the big ones,'" Sills said. There have been no fatalities associated with any confirmed tornadoes in Canada so far this year, Sills said. Although it's not uncommon to see multiple tornadoes in one day, Sills said the number in Saskatchewan on June 19 was the biggest tornado outbreak he's seen since starting the Northern Tornadoes Project in 2017. The June 19 tornadoes included an EF-1 in the Blackstrap Lake area, south of Saskatoon, and an EF-0 in Young, southwest of Saskatoon. The others were in the province's southeast: Two in Frobisher (including an EF-2). Two in Kronau (including an EF-2). An EF-1 in South Touchwood. An EF-1 in Hubbard. One in Vibank. One in Hirsch. Sills said it was a stroke of luck that one of the homes hit by a tornado had special bracing in place. "That actually prevented the roof from coming up. It's good to see that some folks are taking those kinds of precautions," he said. Although there's no exact meteorological reason why Saskatchewan has received this many tornadoes, periods of extreme heat have played a factor, said Sills. "That's based on timing of frontal systems as they move across and whether that timing coincides with the peak heating for the day, where that peak heating occurs. So it's just a matter of some coincidence." Kayla Chamberlin and her partner, Shawn Hanofski, said they saw a tornado touch down in the yard of their rural home near Hubbard, Sask., about 115 kilometres northeast of Regina, on June 19. Hanofski said he couldn't believe their house was still standing after the tornado passed through. Chamberlain was shocked too. "You could hear things being smacked up against the house," she said. Their home suffered slight damage, like shingles being ripped off their roof. But the couple said the real damage was to farm equipment and to the land, with entire trees being ripped out of the ground. Sills said June and July are typically peak tornado season and that things should calm down into next month. "The numbers actually start to decline typically as we get into August, and then come the fall, it pretty much shuts down on the prairies. Hopefully we've seen the peak and we'll tail off now."
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Funnel cloud spotted over Mitchell, Ont. on Thursday
People in Mitchell, Ont. may have been surprised to see a funnel cloud in the sky on Thursday afternoon. Dr. David Sills, the director of the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University, said it happened as a system moved across the community. 'Sometimes a weak vortex can be produced as a cloud is rapidly growing,' he told CTV News. 'If the resulting storm is strong enough, that vortex can reach tornadic strength, but any resulting damage would be highly localized and usually rate EF0 or EF1. These are known as 'landspout' tornadoes.' The funnel cloud above Mitchell, however, resulted from a rain shower and not a thunderstorm. 'The vortex was likely far too weak at ground level to be considered even an EF0 tornado,' Sills said, adding that there was no damage reported. Even though it was more of a curiosity than a concern, the funnel cloud will be added to a database compiled by the Northern Tornadoes Project. Sills said they keep track of funnel cloud sightings over land.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Storm at northern Ont. park likely caused millions in damage
One pickup truck had extensive windshield damage with branches through the glass. A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. It has been a little over two weeks since a monster of a storm ripped through Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, just west of Mattawa, Ont., downing trees and trapping campers. Since then, investigators with the Northern Tornadoes Project have determined a strong downburst caused the damage and not a tornado. The cleanup process is ongoing, but's going to be a while before things are back to anything close to normal. Damage11 A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) This week, Warren Verina, the park's superintendent, took CTV News on a tour of the park to see the damage first-hand. It's an eerie feeling inside the campground. Thousands and thousands of trees were toppled by strong winds and heavy rainfall. 'The scope and scale are hard to fathom,' Verina said. The park's two campgrounds -- Babawasse and Jingwakoki -- bore the brunt of the storm. Campers forced to flee left behind tents, trailers and vehicles. One pickup truck had extensive windshield damage with branches through the glass. A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. 'This is the first major storm event that I've been part of and I've been with Ontario Parks for about 19 seasons.' — Warren Verina, park superintendent A nearby washroom facility, Verina said, was a safe haven for some campers who used it to shelter in place while the storm barrelled through. 'This is the first major storm event that I've been part of and I've been with Ontario Parks for about 19 seasons,' he said. Deeper into the campground is the Canadian Ecology Centre, where all 19 of the centre's cabins were damaged by fallen trees. Expand Autoplay 1 of 11 Damage10 It has been a little over two weeks since a monster of a storm ripped through Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, just west of Mattawa, Ont., downing trees and trapping campers. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage2 One pickup truck had extensive windshield damage with branches through the glass. A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Park damage1 Warren Verina, superintendent of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, took CTV News on a tour of the park to see the damage first-hand. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage3 Thousands and thousands of trees were toppled by strong winds and heavy rainfall. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage4 Deeper into the campground is the Canadian Ecology Centre, where all 19 of the centre's cabins were damaged by fallen trees. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage5 The June 22 storm forced campers to flee left behind tents, trailers and vehicles. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage6 Investigators with the Northern Tornadoes Project have determined a strong downburst caused the damage and not a tornado. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage8 Deeper into the campground is the Canadian Ecology Centre, where all 19 of the centre's cabins were damaged by fallen trees. Assistant general manager Laura Kielpinski said the campground will begin removing the debris starting Wednesday. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage7 It has been a little over two weeks since a monster of a storm ripped through Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, just west of Mattawa, Ont., downing trees and trapping campers. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage9 About a dozen Ontario Parks staff members are helping subcontractors with campsite assessment as tree removal. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage11 A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Assistant general manager Laura Kielpinski said the campground will begin removing the debris starting Wednesday. Then, staff can start getting a closer look at the extent of the damage. 'Some with trees that have gone through the roof, some have dents,' Kielpinski said. 'Our water system roof actually got kind of tilted off its foundation. So that will have to be fully replaced. But it looks like not too much damage inside.' About a dozen Ontario Parks staff members are helping subcontractors with campsite assessment as tree removal. Safety first 'The first priority is the safety of everybody and the safety of the site,' Kielpinski said. 'You just can't go anywhere. Any access point to water or trails is all tree-covered.' Ontario Parks is in contact with campers, updating them about when it will be safe for them to return to pick up their vehicles and other belongings. 'Jingwakoki Campground is still to be determined,' Verina said. 'But we're hopeful in the coming weeks to be able to gain access to Jingwakoki.' In total, around 300 campers were evacuated from the park and the nearby Kiosk Campground with the help of emergency responders and volunteers across the weekend of June 21-22. No one was killed, but there were several injuries, ranging from minor to serious. The nearby Town of Mattawa, east of the park, came to the rescue, setting up an evacuation centre for campers at the arena. Verina said some parts of the park could re-open by mid-August. But that's only if cleanup deadlines remain on schedule. 'In all reality, there's a lot of work that would have to happen between now and then to reopen,' he said. 'We do anticipate further impacts to people's vacations this summer. But we are working as quickly as possible.' While there's no damage price tag available at this time, Ontario Parks' best guess is that it's likely well into the millions of dollars. 'We appreciate everybody's patience,' Verina added.
