Tornado hits Ottawa suburb in ‘potent storm system,’ over 100 homes damaged
A tornado touched down in Ottawa’s west end on Thursday afternoon.
David Sills, executive director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, confirmed that a tornado hit in the Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven, roughly 25 kilometres south of the city’s downtown and Parliament Hill.
Kim Ayotte, general manager of emergency and protective services for the City of Ottawa, told a media briefing early Thursday evening that about 125 homes in the area sustained damage. About 1,600 homes were without power, officials added, with some posing a risk of gas leaks due to the destruction.
“The damage varies from roofs being ripped off the homes, the shingles and the sheeting, down to broken windows and trees being downed and various other damage to structures,” he said.
“It’s a variety of damage, from small damage to quite substantial damage at this time.”
As of Thursday evening, only one resident of the area had sustained minor injuries to their foot from broken glass, Ayotte confirmed.
The Northern Tornadoes Project noted the possibility of “other tornadoes” that may have occurred during this “potent storm system.” While no other tornadoes were confirmed in the Ottawa area Thursday, a tornado touched down north of Montreal hours later amid a severe storm system that knocked out power to thousands of homes in southern Quebec.
The tornado in Ottawa came just minutes after a tornado watch was upgraded to a warning. The warning was issued at 12:49 p.m. and Ottawa police tweeted at 12:55 p.m. they had received reports of a tornado in the Barrhaven area.
“We are aware of a Tornado in Barrhaven and surrounding areas. Officers are responding as needed. If driving please pull-over safely when emergency vehicles are passing. Residents: please seek
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