Fort Erie Hit By Tornado, Possibly Two, As Damage Mounts

The Niagara region was hit by a tornado on Monday afternoon, with potential evidence suggesting a second tornado may have touched down in the area. Residents and emergency services responded to the scene, with numerous reports of damage to homes and businesses, downed trees, and a collapsed barn.

Damage Assessment and Investigation

Officials in Fort Erie are assessing the damage caused by the confirmed tornado, and possibly a second, which left a trail of destruction through the area. Reports of damaged roofs, windows, buildings and trees knocked down are widespread. The RONA store in Fort Erie had its roof lifted off and landed in a neighbouring backyard, a dramatic visual of the force of the tornado.

The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP), based at Western University, has confirmed the presence of at least one tornado. The organization has a team of researchers on the ground, investigating the damage and determining the intensity of the tornado. The team is also looking into the possibility of a second tornado, based on reports of funnel clouds in the Stevensville area.

Witnesses Describe the Events

Liz Reddon, a resident of Fort Erie, described the terrifying moment when a section of roof from the nearby RONA store was ripped off by the tornado and landed in her backyard. She recounts hearing a loud noise and seeing a mass of orange coming toward her home, fearing that her house would be destroyed. Luckily, the roof landed in her pool, just inches from her home, causing significant damage but avoiding a direct hit.

A Community Recovering

The impact of the tornadoes has left the community reeling. There have been reports of temporary horse shelters being constructed after barns were destroyed, leaving livestock vulnerable. Power outages were widespread, with Canadian Niagara Power working diligently to restore power to residents.

Preparedness and Prevention

While no injuries have been reported, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events. Dan Harkins, a former firefighter and advocate for emergency preparedness, emphasizes the unpredictable nature of tornadoes, stressing that there’s no prevention when it comes to these natural disasters.

He urges residents to have a plan in place, including a designated safe space in the basement with enough supplies to last 24 hours, and ensuring windows and doors are closed. The Northern Tornadoes Project’s Connell Miller also emphasizes the importance of staying informed about weather patterns and using weather radar apps to monitor approaching storms.

A Look at the Bigger Picture

While tornadoes are not uncommon in Ontario, they are less frequent in the Niagara region. Miller suggests that the tornadoes observed on Monday might be indicative of a trend of increasing severe weather events due to climate change. He highlights the importance of ongoing research to understand the impact of climate change on tornado occurrences and develop better forecasting models.

The aftermath of the tornadoes in Fort Erie serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and the importance of community resilience in the face of adversity. As the community continues to rebuild, investigations are underway to understand the specifics of the tornadoes and their impact, and to prepare for future weather events.

A Community Rebuilding

The community of Fort Erie is pulling together to address the damage and support those affected by the tornado. Reddon notes that her insurance company quickly responded, sending in workers to clear the debris. The resilience of the community is evident in the outpouring of support for those affected by the tornado. Despite the destruction, the community of Fort Erie remains strong and will continue to rebuild in the face of this weather-related adversity.