'We had seconds to get to the basement,' Chatsworth, Ont. hit by powerful 170kph winds
Experts now believe the powerful storm that hit Chatsworth, Ont. over the weekend could be the work of an EF2 tornado.
A team of experts from the Northern Tornadoes Project visited the area on Sunday and said the tornado left a trail of destruction 13.5 kilometres long.
"It's definitely upper end of EF1, which is 170 kilometres per hour, but we are thinking it might even be stronger than that, so we might upgrade this to EF2," said Dr. David Sills, executive director with Northern Tornadoes Project.
Drone footage shows the impact of a tornado that touched down in Chatsworth, Ont. on Sat. June 26, 2021 (Photos courtesy Northern Tornadoes Project UWO)
Walters Falls resident Kayley Devitt said she received three warnings on her phone before the sky turned dark. "It was a minute before it actually hit, and we had seconds to get to the basement, and we just ran."
Devitt's home was damaged by falling trees that snapped like twigs in the powerful winds.
According to Sills, meteorologists first confirmed the tornado touched down northeast of Chatsworth when airborne debris was spotted on radar.
"Then you know you have got a tornado," Sills said. "There was a tornado warning issued very soon after that was seen."
Devitt said the warning gave her family the time they needed to get to safety.
She said volunteers showed up soon after it hit to help clean up. "They did in 20 minutes, no questions asked. They worked so hard, and I would love to be able to thank them."
On average, there are roughly a dozen tornadoes each year in Ontario. Saturday's destruction marks the third tornado so far, plus a waterspout on Lake Erie.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.