On Thursday evening, a powerful tornado touched down in Ottawa’s south end, wreaking havoc in Riverside South and Findlay Creek areas. Environment Canada confirmed the tornado’s touchdown, occurring 9 km northwest of Metcalfe, as severe weather swept through the national capital region.
Videos and social media posts captured the terrifying scene, with storm chaser Connor Mockett sharing footage of the tornado on Albion Road near Rideau Road at 6:47 p.m. Reports of damage surfaced from Bank Street to River Road near Earl Armstrong Road. Homes suffered structural damage, trees were uprooted, and a trailer was flipped over at a construction site. Albion Road faced temporary closure due to downed wires and tree branches around 7 p.m.
Coun. Steve Desroches, representing the affected area, reported that eight homes were impacted by the storm. Roof damage was evident on Escapade Private, Salamander Way, Findlay Creek Drive, and Labrador Crescent. Kelly Farm Drive was strewn with debris, including roof shingles, street signs, and a porta-potty.
Amid the chaos, emergency crews worked diligently to assist residents. Ottawa fire crews provided wellness checks and helped secure tarps on damaged roofs. One heartwarming rescue involved locating a family dog safely in a room after a home’s roof was partially ripped off on Canyon Walk Drive in Riverside South.
Other incidents included a home on Wilhelmina Place struck by lightning, causing charring to the siding. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries.
#OttNews #Ottawa #OttawaStorm https://t.co/9SjgvBvaBt pic.twitter.com/PlmRHsVUcA
— Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) August 3, 2023
Ottawa police responded to several calls related to the severe weather, mainly concerning roof damage and downed trees and hydro wires. Hydro Ottawa reported power outages in Stittsville, Richmond, and Rideau Jock affecting approximately 5,000 customers, but power was restored by 9 p.m.
During the storm, Environment Canada issued two tornado warnings for Ottawa between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and a severe thunderstorm warning concluded before 8 p.m. Residents in Stittsville, Barrhaven, and Riverside South reported heavy rain and loonie-sized hail during the storm.
This unfortunate event marked the third tornado to hit Ottawa’s south end this summer. On July 13, two EF1 tornadoes with maximum wind speeds of 155 km/h caused significant damage in Barrhaven, impacting over 100 homes and properties. The Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University confirmed the tornadoes’ paths, which extended approximately 1 km and 5 km long.