'It's a historic storm,' Remembering the Barrie tornado 38 years later
May 31, 1985, started like any other day in Barrie, but all that changed later that afternoon when the sky changed colour, suddenly and without warning, plunging the city into chaos.
With wind speeds topping 400 kilometres per hour, the F4 tornado cut a path through the heart of Barrie, leaving destruction in its wake.
The tornado's impact was swift and severe.
Entire neighbourhoods were reduced to rubble, with houses torn apart, trees uprooted, vehicles tossed, and lives forever changed.
Pictures from the Barrie tornado in 1985 (Courtesy: Frank Callaghan)
The widespread devastation left a lasting mark on the city's landscape and residents.
Environment Canada says 14 tornados, including the one in Barrie, swept Central Ontario over six hours on May 31, 1985.
When the clouds finally shifted and the winds calmed, the long and arduous road to recovery began.
Firefighters were among the first to arrive at the scene of the devastation.
"I thought a bomb had dropped or something," Jim Lemieux, deputy fire chief in 1985, said in a 2015 interview.
Neighbours helped neighbours, strangers reached out to lend a hand, and emergency responders worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and provide aid.
"It was amazing how a community could pull together in an emergency. Everybody in the community did what they had to do," Lemieux added.
The spirit of community solidarity shone amidst the darkness that had engulfed the city.
Pictures from the Barrie tornado in 1985 (Courtesy: Frank Callaghan)
In the immediate aftermath of the tornado, shelters were set up, and relief efforts were launched to provide food, clothing, and support to those affected.
As the days turned into weeks and months, the focus shifted towards rebuilding the city and restoring a traumatized community.
In all, 12 people lost their lives that fateful day, including eight in Barrie, two in Grand Valley, and two in Tottenham. Over 150 people were injured.
The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) said it was the worst tornado to ever touch down in Central Ontario.
"It’s a historic storm. We haven’t had an F4 in Ontario since that time. So that tells you how rare these things are," said NTP executive director Dr. David Sills.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.