No deaths have been reported following a tornado in Barrie and the Mayor says everyone is believed to be accounted for, but 11 people have suffered injuries; four of them serious.
Morning update from Prince William Way after yesterday's tornado. pic.twitter.com/ezdAhLu4IG
— Jeff Lehman (@Mayor_Jeff) July 16, 2021
Thousands of people were also without power on Thursday, after the storm moved through the city and Mayor Jeff Lehman said the sky looked familiar to anyone who remembers the tornado of 1985.
Audio PlayerThe city says at about 3 p.m. a tornado touched down in the south end and shortly after, the Emergency Control Group assembled to triage the situation. It says all emergency personnel are on site responding to the situation.
Rated at the high end of an EF2, it featured peak winds between 200 and 220 km/h.
Teams from ECCC and @westernuNTP investigated the damage left by the tornado in Barrie. They have given a preliminary rating of EF2 with maximum wind speeds estimated at 210 km/h. A team from NTP will continue investigating damage from the storms https://t.co/LOZShVENoJ#ONStorm pic.twitter.com/mgLgCv0cIa
— ECCC Weather Ontario (@ECCCWeatherON) July 16, 2021
There has been extensive damage to many homes and property in the Mapleview and Prince William Way area. Anyone displaced by the storm are being supported through an evacuation centre.
There are still a number of power outages being reported. For more information, including the full list of streets affected, go to the Power Outage Map. You can also follow @alectranews on Twitter for updates during major power outages. To hear restoration details, call 1-833-ALECTRA (1-833-253-2872), press 1.
There have been reports of injuries but fortunately, at this point there have been no fatalities.
Audio PlayerThe Mayor says about 50 homes have suffered significant damage and a couple of them have been completely destroyed.
We have been truly fortunate today in Barrie that no one has been killed. Incredible work by first responders continuing door to door searches and assisting residents of heavily damaged homes. Thank you everyone from across Ontario for your thoughts and concern. https://t.co/UXmntBn6po
— Jeff Lehman (@Mayor_Jeff) July 16, 2021
A secondary search of homes in the area took place Thursday night.
The City’s first concern is for public safety and the safety of our first emergency response personnel.
Ongoing public information about the situation will be posted on our website at barrie.ca and our social media channels.
In the interest of public health and safety the following safety precautions are requested:
- Please stay clear of the Mapleview and Prince William Way area so that all emergency teams are able to do their job
- Stay tuned to the media for further updates
- Do NOT call 911 unless it is a life threatening situation
Today, Premier Doug Ford will be in Barrie to survey the damage caused by yesterday’s tornado and thank the first responders at the scene. The Premier will meet with Mayor Jeff Lehman at an evacuation centre before heading over to the site of the tornado at 11:30 a.m..
Update: Power #outage in #Barrie affecting approx. 398 homes and businesses in The Prince William Way and Mapleview Dr East area. Crews continue working on damages caused by the tornado. ETR for remaining customers remains TBD. #pwrout ^pa
— Alectra (@alectranews) July 16, 2021
Some areas that were damaged by the #BarrieTornado may have water turned off in their homes. If people are returning home & need their water turned back on or have questions about water service, please call 705-726-4242 and press 0. #Barrie
— The City of Barrie (@cityofbarrie) July 16, 2021
The Barrie Police Service has set up a central phone line for anyone who needs assistance related to the tornado in Barrie. Please call 705-728-8442 – call takers will take callers’ information to ensure a follow-up from the proper organization. pic.twitter.com/EKYWGQbtSv
— Barrie Police (@BarriePolice) July 16, 2021
