Environment and Climate Change Canada have confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in Ottawa.
They say a cold front tracked over southern Ontario Friday afternoon and evening, resulting in severe thunderstorms which produced two tornadoes.
One severe thunderstorm produced a tornado which tracked over Kinburn, Dunrobin and Gatineau between approximately 4:40 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. This tornado damaged or destroyed numerous buildings, overturned vehicles and snapped many trees and hydro poles. There were also reports of multiple injuries including several people that were critically injured.
Preliminary assessment of the damage indicates that this was a high end EF-3 tornado with wind speeds up to 265 km/h.
A second severe thunderstorm produced a tornado in the neighbourhood of Arlington Woods in Ottawa near 6:00 p.m. This tornado significantly damaged buildings and snapped many trees and hydro poles. Preliminary assessment of the damage indicates that this was a high end EF-2 tornado with wind speeds up to 220 km/h.
Environment and Climate Change Canada continues to conduct damage surveys to determine the exact tracks of these tornadoes.
Any reports of damage can be sent to Environment and Climate Change Canada by emailing ONStorm@canada.caor tweeting reports using #onstorm.
