PHOTOS: Damage, injuries as wicked winds whip across Canada and U.S.
High winds buffeted tens of millions of people this week as a powerful storm swept into Central Canada.
A classic springtime storm sweeping across portions of Canada and the United States brought wicked winds to a vast swath of land. Tens of millions of people have seen powerful gusts as the system moved from Texas to Quebec. Wind gusts stronger than 90 km/h sent trash cans flying in Hamilton, while destructive winds and tornadoes accompanied the system stateside.
This week’s atmospheric turmoil is courtesy of a Texas low that swirled through the Great Lakes region. Cool air to the north of the storm led to a period of snow and freezing rain for northern portions of Ontario and Quebec, while warm air south of the storm fuelled pleasant—albeit brief—warmth in southern Ontario, as well as a round of intense thunderstorms in the U.S.
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Severe thunderstorms that hit the southern and eastern U.S. this week led to multiple fatalities and injuries. The U.S. Storm Prediction Center has received nearly 50 reports of tornadoes across 11 states since Tuesday. The New York Times reported Thursday that two people died on the Florida Panhandle after a likely tornado struck their mobile home.
Thunderstorms weren’t behind all of the gusty winds. The low-pressure system responsible for all the activity deepend below 980 mb as it entered northern Ontario during the day on Thursday. The strong pressure gradient between the strengthening low to the north and a centre of high pressure over the western Atlantic allowed gusty winds to sweep over a huge swath of eastern North America, hitting Ontario particularly hard on Thursday.
Reports of tossed trash cans were common across southern Ontario during the day on Thursday. Many communities saw wind gusts of 60-80 km/h, with Hamilton gusting higher than 90 km/h at one point. More than 10,000 customers in southern Ontario lost power during the early afternoon hours, according to Hydro One. Crews quickly restored electricity to most by early evening.
The winds were strong enough to make one lose their balance. At least one person in Toronto reportedly suffered injuries Thursday afternoon when the wind knocked them to the ground.
Check out some of this early spring storm’s aftermath across Canada and the United States, below.