PHOTOS: EF-2 tornado strikes Barrie amid powerful storms in Ontario
Barrie, Ont., residents were taking stock of the considerable damage and are cleaning up after an EF-2 tornado struck the city Thursday.
The twister occurred in the mid-afternoon as multiple severe thunderstorms exploded and swept through the southern half of the province. This prompted multiple tornado warnings including for the Barrie area.
After surveying the damage, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) gave the Barrie tornado a preliminary EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. It had maximum wind speeds of 210 km/h, with a damage path that was 12 km long and up to 600 metres wide.
The twister swept through the southeastern section of Barrie, leaving around 150 homes damaged, 71 of which were not considered safe to enter, according to Barrie officials.
"Just after 2:30 p.m. Thursday, a tornado tracked from the miniature golf course on Huronia Road and Mapleview Drive (in south Barrie) and continued eastward towards Prince William Way where it caused significant damage on the north side of Mapleview drive," ECCC said in the summary.
The agency also noted trees were uprooted or toppled, and at least 10 roofs were removed. The second floor was destroyed or removed from two houses and a couple of vehicles were overturned. Roof shingles were damaged or removed from a number of other homes along the damage track from the tornado. The damage track may have continued towards Friday Harbour and over Lake Simcoe.
Barrie officials said Friday evening that 10 people were injured after paramedics had initially put the figure at eight Thursday. All but two had been released from the hospital as of Friday.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited the afflicted area Friday, and said the province would step in to cover costs for residents whose insurance would not pay.
"It's shocking, it's heartbreaking," Ford said to reporters.
"I want to give a real shout-out to first responders. They are absolute heroes."
'THE ROOF IS GONE,' HOMEOWNER EMERGES FROM BASEMENT AFTER TORNADO
The groups will also investigate possible tornadoes in other locations in Ontario. Damage has been reported in Kawartha Lakes and Innisfil, while visuals of funnel clouds have surfaced in Udora and Manilla.
The Barrie Police Service has set up a central phone line for anyone who needs assistance related to the tornado in Barrie.
"Please call 705-728-8442 - call takers will take callers’ information to ensure a follow-up from the proper organization," said the service in a tweet.
Below is a selection of photos and videos of the Barrie tornado and other storms in southern Ontario, and their aftermath.
Barrie, Ontario, tornado damage. July 15, 2021. (Marta Czurylowicz/The Weather Network)
Barrie, Ontario, tornado damage. July 15, 2021. (Marta Czurylowicz/The Weather Network)
Barrie, Ontario, Tornado. July 15, 2021. (Marta Czurylowicz/The Weather Network)
Barrie, Ontario, tornado damage. July 15, 2021. (Marta Czurylowicz/The Weather Network)
Barrie, Ontario, tornado damage. July 15, 2021. (Marta Czurylowicz/The Weather Network)
