'We've got a lot of damage': Ottawa residents begin cleaning up after storm damages homes, church

Residents and city staff are assessing the damage and beginning the cleanup after Saturday's severe storm left a trail of destruction across Ottawa.

The city of Ottawa has received multiple reports of damaged property and fallen trees, "particularly in the Navan, Stittsville, Merivale and Hunt Club area." 

In Navan, the McWilliams Farm was severely damaged by the storm, with the strong winds and rain knocking down several barns and buildings on the property. Several animals were reported trapped.

Ottawa fire said Sunday morning that firefighters helped rescue several trapped animals at a farm on Saturday, and helped build a temporary shelter.

Troy McWilliams described the moment the storm rolled in.

"I turn and see this huge wall of dust moving in, i couldn’t see anything I couldn’t see any of the neighbours houses or anything," he told CTV News. "I’m getting poured rain on, wind is crazy, so I dive under the bailer and I hold onto it while I'm under it. I’m there for about 30 seconds and it stops enough that if I let go I won’t get sucked out of there, so I let go, crawled over to the combine and climbed up the ladder to the combine."

Clayton McWilliams said it was a blessing to see a mare and foal unharmed after the storm.

"I came around the barn and the mare and brand new foal were unharmed and I crawled in under just to see if anything else was there and the goat was totally fine, just stuck," he said. "We just lifted the barn a little bit, pulled it out and they were both totally fine. Very grateful for that." 

The sounds of chainsaws filled the air in Navan on Sunday.

Roxanne took CTV News Ottawa's Graham Richardson on the tour of the damage at her Navan property, where a tree hit the roof.

"There's a lot of weight on top of it," Roxanne said of the tree resting on the roof of the home.

On Trim Road, Kelsey said her backyard was damaged.

"We lost a lot of trees," Kelsey. "They all kind of leaned against the house behind us."

Kelsey described the storm as "super fast, terrifying."

Across Ottawa, trees litter roads and sidewalks, and several homes have been damaged.

"We did have a big, big Manitoba maple in the backyard, and it fell back on to the house and we've got a lot of damage," TSN 1200's Steve Lloyd said about the damage to his home in the Merivale/Meadowlands area.

Lloyd told Newstalk 580 CFRA that the 50-foot tall tree was lifted up by its roots during the storm and "tipped it right over", leaving a giant hole in the roof and damage to his daughter's bedroom.

"It's extensive damage on that side of the house. It didn't miss the house at all, it came right down right on the house."

No one was hurt.

Further south from Lloyd's house in the Country Place neighbourhood, Manon Hendry says a giant tree damaged to her home.

"We had a huge tree go through our house. It destroyed my two girls' bedrooms, now the first floor is probably getting water damage," Hendry said.

"Our backyard is a mess."

Hendry says her family was staying with relatives. She returned to the house Sunday to assess the damage.

"It’s awful, but everybody is safe, the pets are safe, but I can’t imagine," she said. "I never thought I was going to go through this in my life."

Manon Hendry says a fallen tree damaged her home in Ottawa's south end. (Manon Hendry/Facebook)

Hydro Ottawa says 200 hydro poles have been damaged by the storm.

In Ottawa's east end, Coun. Catherine Kitts shared photos on Twitter of damage to properties, including a giant tree on top of a house.

"Lots of stories of neighbours helping neighbourhoods," Kitts said.

Coun. Keith Egli, whose ward was severely damaged by a tornado in September 2018, admitted the damage in his community "is not looking good."

Egli shared photos of trees on top of homes in the Country Place and Pineglen neighbourhoods.

"So much damage. It is like the 2018 tornado all over again."

Hendry praised her neighbours for coming together during this horrific event.

"Everybody has been giving a hand to everybody."

THE OTTAWA HUNT AND GOLF CLUB

The Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club is closed until further notice after the storm caused extensive damage to the course.

The course on Hunt Club Road shared images on Instagram of downed trees and damage across the course.

"Yesterday was a very sad day for us. The storm caused severe and extensive damage to our beautiful course," the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club said.

"The clubhouse and course is closed until further notice. We are thinking of everyone who has been affected by the storm."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club (@theottawahuntclub)

PINECREST CEMETERY

Pinecrest Cemetery in the area of Greenbank Road and Baseline Road was severely damaged by the storm.

Photos shared by Elena Davies showed damaged headstones and downed trees across the cemetery.

The roads around the cemetery were also blocked by the fallen trees.

Pinecrest Cemetery in Ottawa's west end after Saturday's storm. Viewers say several trees had fallen and headstones had been toppled. (Elena Davies/viewer photo)

SAINT HUGUES PARISH

The Paroisse Saint-Hugues in Sarsfield was significantly damaged by the storm.

CTV News Ottawa's Graham Richardson shared a photo showing damage to the church, including the steeple blown off the top of the building.

The village offers French masses Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

The Paroisse Saint-Hugues in Sarsfield after Saturday's storm. (Graham Richardson/CTV news Ottawa)

BROOKSON FARM

Brookson Farm in Ottawa's southeast end has been significantly damaged by the storm.

"The indoor arena is completely destroyed and there is a significant amount of damage to fencing and other outbuildings," said Brookson Farm in a post on Facebook.

There are no reported injuries and all horses are okay.

All lessons will be cancelled until further notice.

Brookson Farm is located on Russell Road in Carlsbad Springs.