'An absolute mess': Severe thunderstorms rip through southern Ontario
A severe thunderstorm caused extensive damage throughout southern Ontario on Tuesday.
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for much of the area. The storm began approaching from the northwest and moving through the province into the afternoon and evening.
A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Mount Forest, Arthur and Wellington County from about 5:40 p.m. to 7 p.m. The warning came into effect again around 9:40 p.m.
The weather agency was tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of bringing hail, heavy downpours and strong winds gusting up to 110 kilometres per hour.
As of 12 a.m. Wednesday, Kitchener’s Stanley Park area had seen a total of 26 millimetres from two thunderstorms, according to a tweet from Environment Canada meteorologist Rob Kuhn. He also says the strongest wind gusts at that point were an estimated 65 km/h from the first storm.
The storm also knocked out power in some communities. But local hydro companies like Kitchener Wilmot Hydro and Waterloo North Hydro were showing no outages as of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Ontario Provincial Police say heavy rain overnight has resulted in flooding in some areas, covering live road lanes and shoulders.
Damage from the storm was also noticeable in areas including Port Albert, Sauble Beach and Huron County.
Communities along the Lake Huron shoreline were also hit hard.
"We heard a thump, which I knew was a tree hitting the ground and we went into the cold room and stayed there until the wind subsided," said Lucknow resident Lynn McDonagh.
She described what she saw after as "a disaster, an absolute mess."
About eight trees fell and one went right through the roof.
In Minto, one homeowner said their motor home was standing upright on the concrete slab but after he watched it roll in the wind, he knew it was time to head to the basement. A nearby tree was also knocked over.
Environment Canada had issued a tornado warning for the area. Western University's Norther Tornadoes Project has two teams out surveying the damage.
"It's too early to say obviously but it looks like there might have been multiple tornadoes touchdowns mixed in with some bursts or micro bursts, but that's basically what the team is going to try and determine today whether it was a tornado," said Francis Lavigne-Theriult, a research assistant with the Northern Tornadoes Project.
Here's a look at the storm as shared on social media:
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.