Councillor who survived Barrie, Ont. tornado wants city to explore hurricane strap incentives
In the moments after a tornado ripped through southeast Barrie last month, Natalie Harris hit record on her smartphone and pointed her camera upward."
"The roof is gone, oh my god," a stunned Harris said.
City Councillor Natalie Harris had been visiting her son and dogs at her ex-husband's home when an EF-2 tornado touched down on July 15.
Now the city councillor wants the city to explore ways to boost the installation of hurricane straps on homes to prevent catastrophic damage in future storms.
In a virtual meeting on Monday, councillors will discuss asking city staff to investigate establishing a rebate program for homeowners and builders who install the straps.
Building experts say the small metal brackets can help a structure withstand powerful winds and reduce the likelihood of its roof flying off.
Doug Tarry, owner of Doug Tarry Homes puts the cost of the straps at between $600 and $1,200 per home.
In 2017, Dufferin County teamed up with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction to create the country's first hurricane strap program. Since then, more than 16,000 straps have been installed."
Harris wants Barrie to help educate homeowners about the straps, even if the city doesn't go with a rebate or other incentive program.
"I never knew there was such a thing," Harris says. "If you're not in that field, it's really hard to know what should you ask to put on your home."
Harris tells CTV News she's also had an encouraging discussion with the provincial stakeholders and MPPs.
"We had some great conversations and so much support around possibly even changing the Ontario Building Code so that areas that get most frequently hit with tornados, that it's standard practice that they put these hurricane straps in."
Harris says her ex's home has been deemed inhabitable and needs to be completely rebuilt. While he's found shelter in a rental, Harris expects him to be out of his home for at least a year.
with files from Katelyn Wilson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.