The aftermath...

Storm slams city, outlying areas
Mattawa, Callander declare state of emergency

Nugget Staff Local News - Tuesday, July 18, 2006 @ 08:00


A series of possible tornadoes swept across Northeastern Ontario Monday, cutting a swath of destruction leaving up to 75,000 homes without power, closing roads and highways.

The violent storm struck at about 5:30 p.m. with the wind speed reaching up to 80 kilometres per hour before the wind dial at Jack Garland Airport in North Bay snapped.

A pilot told The Nugget the wind was closer to 189 km/h as the storm peaked, bringing down trees, power lines, overturning airplanes and tearing the walls and roofs off homes and buildings from West Nipissing to Mattawa.

North Bay officials put the citys emergency plan in place setting up operations at North Bay Police Service headquarters.

Ive heard reports of a tornado, but didnt see anything here. My visibility was down to an eighth of a mile and I couldnt see past the ramp, said Mike Warren, station manager of the weather observing station at the airport.

The impact across the region was reminiscent of the August 2003 provincewide blackout.

Although no serious injuries were reported, damage in Callander led Mayor Bill Brazeau to declare a state of emergency after touring the municipality 12 kilometres south of North Bay. Mattawa also declared a state of emergency.

Mattawa resident Dan Levesque was driving on the highway with his wife and children. The rain and wind were so powerful, Levesque pulled over to seek refuge near a rock-cut.

I had never felt the wind so strong, he said. My kids were screaming. They were literally terrified. It was pretty scary. Other people were pulled over too.

In North Bay, 20,000 homes were without power after the storm hit. By 11:30 p.m. power was restored to about 7,000 homes. Crews were working street by street locating downed lines and ones damaged by trees.

Ive never seen damage like this in 33 years on the job, said Jim Snider, general manager of North Bay Hydro.

Snider said some city residents could be without power until this evening.

The areas around the city also received extensive damage to hydro distribution infrastructure.

About 55,000 homes were without power at 9 p.m., a spokeswoman for Hydro One said.

The distribution system in the Northeast is extensively damaged. Homes could be without power for up to 72 hours, said Enza Cancilla. The damage runs from Kirkland Lake through Temiskaming Shores, as far south as Georgian Bay, she said.

It was black across the city as night fell, with only a handful of stories open, including the A&P on Lakeshore Drive.

People were lined up for candles, flashlights and water, said Bernie Houle, assistant manager.

Its never been this busy on a Monday, not even before Christmas . . . its been crazy since about 7:30 p.m., he said.

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End story published in the North Bay Nugget.

So, it seems that North Bay was sparred of tornado touch downs - however, they are still waiting to hear from 'storm experts' who have to go through and assess the damages. Unfortunately, surrounding areas were not so lucky. Seeing images of North Bay was weird last night on the Weather Network. I can't imagine the smaller towns that are not getting local coverage. The strangest places were reporting tornados last night - including Kirkland Lake (where I was born). This seems so surreal. It's very unfortunate to hear of the damage - but as of yet - no serious injuries/deaths have been reported - throughout Northern Ontario.

Thank God.