EF2 Tornado Causes Significant Damage in Ontario
A tornado that touched down in Ontario caused significant structural damage, with preliminary assessments indicating it was an EF2-strength storm. At least one apartment building reportedly lost its roof. Scientists are currently investigating the tornado's path and intensity to fully assess the damage.
- The tornado that struck Barrie, Ontario, on July 15, 2021, was confirmed as an EF2 with wind speeds reaching up to 210 km/h. - The tornado's path of destruction was approximately 12.5 kilometers long and up to 510 meters wide, causing significant damage to over 100 homes. - This weather event resulted in 11 injuries and more than 2,200 insurance claims, with the total insured losses estimated at over $100 million. - In the aftermath, researchers studied the structural damage, noting that weaknesses in building construction contributed to the extent of the destruction and have called for improved building codes, such as the installation of hurricane straps to better secure roofs to walls. - Of the 479 houses identified as damaged by the Barrie tornado, 13 sustained EF2-level damage, 86 had EF1 damage, and 380 had EF0 damage. - The Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University has been actively involved in researching this and other tornadoes, using satellite imagery and ground surveys to analyze the storm's characteristics and impact. - Historically, Barrie has experienced another major tornado in May 1985, highlighting the region's susceptibility to severe weather events. - Canada experiences more tornadoes than any other country except for the United States, with the peak season typically occurring from April to September.
