Storms cause significant damage across eastern Ontario; tornado suspected
Crews from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Western University’s Northern Tornadoes Project are investigating to determine whether tornadoes are responsible for damage across eastern Ontario following storms on Sunday.
A powerful thunderstorm moved across the province Sunday evening. According to Environment Canada, homes and trees were damaged in areas that include Havelock, Marmora, Madoc and Tweed, which are east of Peterborough and north of Belleville. Part of Highway 7 in Tweed was blocked because of a downed tree. North of Tweed, in the community of Actinolite, roofs were ripped off of homes.
The municipality of Tweed has declared a state of emergency. A reception centre is open at the Tweed Library at 230 Metcalf St., with bottled water. Power is available.
"If you have been affected by the storm, please register at the reception centre. If you have questions, please call the municipal office at 613-478-2535," the municipality said.
Environment Canada said injuries were reported in the community of Rockdale, Ont., about 60 km north of Belleville.
Tornado warnings were issued for parts of the region Sunday night.
OPP Acting Sgt. Erin Cranton tells CTV Morning Live roads were still blocked Monday morning by downed trees and wires.
“Officers were responding to numerous calls for service from about 8:30 until 4 in the morning,” she said. “Lots of trees were reported down on roadways, especially on Highway 7 between Highway 62 and Highway 37. Also, hydro lines were down, so a lot of vehicles were halted in the wake of that.”
Cranton said OPP is aware of one report of non-life threatening injuries to someone who was driving on Highway 7 at the time of the storm. A downed hydro line hit one OPP officer’s vehicle, breaking the windshield and mirror. The officer was unharmed, Cranton said.
Deputy mayor of Madoc Township Larry Rollins told Newstalk 580 CFRA's "Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron" that this is the second devastating storm in the region this year.
"We had a major storm in May that caused all kinds of tree damage, as it did in Ottawa," he said, referring to the May 21 derecho storm that caused widespread damage across Ontario and several deaths.
Rollins said people need to be ready for more events like this.
"People have got to realize climate change is real. This is no joke, this is for real and people better get used to it because until we do something different, we’re going to have a problem."
He says road and fire crews are working to remove downed trees from roads to help ensure that ambulances can reach everyone.
"Most of our volunteer firemen were out last night after the storm hit and worked through the night. People are still working today trying to open all of our roads," Rollins said. "We hope that by this evening, we will have all our roads open."
Hydro One said Monday afternoon that it had restored power to more than 39,000 customers since Sunday night, but some people would remain without power for another night.
CTV's Nate Vandermeer says he recorded nearly 90 mm of rain in the Brockville area on Sunday.
Ottawa was drenched with more than 22 mm of rain, and lightning is getting the blame for damage to the O-Train, which kept trains offline for the morning commute.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are expecting their first child
Hailey Rhode Bieber, Canadian musician Justin Bieber's wife, announced her pregnancy on social media on Thursday. Hailey posted a series of photos showing her baby bump alongside husband Justin.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street