Two tornadoes struck the Barrhaven neighborhood of Ottawa on Thursday afternoon, according to investigators with Western University’s Northern Tornado Project in London.
The first tornado caused damage about 1 km away and 150 meters wide.
Then a second tornado formed. It was longer and caused damage over a length of about 5 km and a width of 200 meters, according to the investigators in their report.
A maximum wind speed of 155 km/h was estimated, which corresponds to the EF1 category on the EF scale. This applies to both tornadoes, the report says.
This is relatively rare. [dans la région]. But it happens [de manière générale]. That’s nothing out of the ordinary, argues Francis Lavigne-Thériault, research assistant at the Northern Tornado Project.
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Francis Lavigne-Thériault, research assistant for the Northern Tornado Project
Photo: Radio Canada
The Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF Scale, is a scale divided into six categories ranging from zero (low intensity) to five (high intensity).
Environment Canada uses the EF scale to assess wind damage, particularly damage from tornadoes.
Source: Environment Canada
It’s worth noting that the longitude and latitude values for each tornado are preliminary as more photo and video evidence remains and more analysis is needed, investigators said.
The extent of the damage
For its part, Environment Canada said the low-pressure system that swept through southern Ontario on Thursday brought heavy rain and thunderstorms, first in the early hours of the morning in southwestern Ontario and then into eastern Ontario into the evening.
Both tornadoes damaged several homes and buildings along their path. Reported damage includes damaged roofs, broken windows, power and utility outages, and damaged trees, the federal agency adds.
Environment Canada reports that one person received minor injuries in the weather event.