Family farm near Christie Lake destroyed by Perth, Ont. tornado
A family in the community of Tay Valley is picking up the pieces of their barn after it was destroyed by Wednesday's tornado near Perth, Ont.
"It was over by 7:35 p.m. when I started videoing the damage, and we got the alert at 7:38 p.m.," says Derrek Brady.
He and his wife MacKayla have lived in their Tay Valley home for four years. It is located just minutes from Christie Lake, where it has been confirmed one tornado touched down Wednesday evening.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"You could tell it was more than your average storm. By the time it reached the trees, I had realized that I needed to get back to the house," Derrek said.
"As soon as we saw those [barn] doors go to 90 degrees, that's when we knew it was time to go get our family from upstairs and try and take shelter," said MacKayla.
The roughly 100-year-old barn now sits in tatters, with pieces of wood and tin roof strewn hundreds of metres in every direction.
The barn was home to four horses, all of which were outside the structure at impact.
Miraculously, the Brady's family home located just 140 feet beside their barn remained virtually untouched.
"Thankful," expressed Derrek.
"One degree (difference) on its trajectory, it could have been a different story. They'd be going to search for us under that house."
Wednesday's tornado was reported to have touched down in the Christie Lake area, which is home to private cottages and campgrounds.
Video taken by cottagers near the Jordan's Cottages campground shows a wall of rain storming across Christie Lake, before circulation of the clouds can be seen beginning over the water.
"As far as I could tell, it was just a storm coming through, but a lot louder," said John Zeitoun, a long-time cottage renter at Jordan's Cottages.
"We went inside and got away from the windows, because who knows what was going to get blown in. It lasted about two minutes, and after that it was just rain. But there were 20 or 30 trees that fell in two minutes," Zeitoun told CTV News.
No injuries were reported at the campground. Minimal damage occurred, with only trees being broken, resulting in one crushed vehicle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Follow live: Serial killer Paul Bernardo denied parole for a third time
Notorious killer Paul Bernardo has been denied parole for a third time following a hearing before the Parole Board of Canada.
Biden says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire will take effect Wednesday morning
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah will take effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday.
Loonie tanks after Trump threatens tariffs on Canadian goods
The Canadian dollar fell to its lowest level since May 2020 after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods shipped to the United States once he takes office in January.
'We need to do better': Canadian leaders respond to Trump's border concerns
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens Canada with major tariffs, sounding alarms over the number of people and drugs illegally crossing into America, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and some premiers say they agree that more could be done.
Should Canada retaliate if Trump makes good on 25 per cent tariff threat?
After U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports on his first day back in the White House unless his border concerns are addressed, there is mixed reaction on whether Canada should retaliate.
As Trump vows major tariff hike, a look at what the U.S. imports from Canada
Some Canadian products could face huge tariffs on the first day of Donald Trump's administration in January. Here’s a quick look at what the U.S. imports from Canada.
Longtime member of Edmonton theatre community dies during 'A Christmas Carol' performance
Edmonton's theatre community is in mourning after an actor died during a performance of "A Christmas Carol" at the Citadel Theatre on Sunday.
Police chief says 'extreme left group' behind Montreal protest violence; Legault calls for more arrests
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is putting pressure on the Montreal police to arrest everyone involved in an anti-NATO protest that turned violent last week.
Canadian government suspends contracts with Boissonnault's former company
The medical supply company co-founded by Liberal MP and former minister Randy Boissonnault has been suspended from bidding on or entering into contracts with the Government of Canada.