The cleanup continued in Huntsville and Lake of Bays Tuesday after two tornadoes tore through Muskoka over the weekend.
Environment Canada confirms the first tornado was an EF-1 tornado. That tornado touched down south of Huntsville and moved for 3km north across Fairy Lake, ending at the Deerhurst resort.
The second confirmed tornado was stronger, touching down about 15 km north-east of Huntsville. It was on the ground for about 9 km, with wind speeds of up to 190 km per hour. That tornado has been classified as an EF-2 tornado.
I couldn’t believe it, you see the wind and the rain blowing sideways,” said resident Glenn Jarrett.
The storm left behind more than 10 acres of flattened trees along cottage properties. It crushed boats and forced residents to duck for cover.
“If the wind had been 180 degrees on shore which is the prevailing direction, the three of us would have been dead,” said cottage owner Lind Housser.
Town officials say it’s too early to know much the cleanup will cost. Crews estimate it will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The cleanup efforts are expected to last at least another week. Residents will have to cover the initial costs and then it will be up to insurance companies.
