Rare tornado hits Ontario, leaving ‘catastrophic’ damage, Canada
A rare tornado tore through the city of Barrie, Ontario, Canada around 14:30 LT on July 15, 2021, leaving what officials described as 'catastrophic' damage. At least 11 people were injured.
Environment Canada said the tornado received a preliminary rating of EF-2 with wind speeds of up to 210 km/h (130 mph). The tornado's path was about 4.8 km (3 miles) and up to 100 m (330 feet) wide at some points.
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman said a total of 11 people were injured, with four of them taken to hospital.
A total of 25 buildings were damaged and three of them were demolished.
Huge amounts of damage in South Barrie as possible Tornado touched down. EMS on scene. #Barrie pic.twitter.com/F6whc9VWkC
— Brandon Vieira (@BVieira91) July 15, 2021
#barrie #Tornado I didn't realize what was happening when I started filming but I ended it quick and ran to the basement. We're all okay. pic.twitter.com/VMjl8xnJdd
— Stephanie Aivaz (@stephiebooks) July 15, 2021
"The damage is catastrophic. It is significant. It is major," Barrie police spokesperson Peter Leon said, adding that there have been power outages and damage to some gas lines.
"There's houses that have come off their foundation, obviously lots of roofs that have been blown off," Barrie-Innisfil Member of Parliament John Brassard told CBC News. "I've seen trampolines in people's pools, so the damage is quite devastating."
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert said tornadoes in Barrie are not common, but they can still occur on occasion.
On May 31, 1985, the city's Allandale area was hit by an EF-4 tornado, killing 8 people and injuring more than 100 others. At least 600 homes were destroyed.
Featured image credit: Brandon Vieira
EF 4 in Czech republic, region: Moravian Slovakia, destruction was horrible in 6 villages,600 houses destroyed, thousands damaged, with 6 deaths..I know that region well, travelling there often…The best winemaking region!
It is inexcusable for a gov’t official in Canada – Ontario, no less, where truly violent and damaging tornadoes have occurred historically – to use terms like catastrophic when describing storm damage such as this..
I’ll excuse it out of China, where truth is nebulous and whatever the dragon emperor’s regime says it is…
But an EF2 tornado does not (and did not) leave catastrophic damage.
Shame on the gov’t official and the press for yet another hyperbolic and dishonest statement.