Just got off the phone with my Son who works as Park Warden at Awenda Provincial park about 20 minutes from centre of Midland. Full emergency mode in Park, no power, one phone line and no injuries in park. He said all available emergency personnel were called to Midland south end including Barrie police to help with the emergency. He said they were going out on patrol again right now to double check on everybody and everything. Ontario One says power likely out until tomorrow evening.
Updated: Wed Jun. 23 2010 10:36:57 PM
ctvtoronto.ca
The town of Midland, Ont. has declared a state of emergency after a suspected tornado touched down, setting off reports of minor injuries and widespread damage.
James Downer, the town's mayor, declared the state of emergency at 7:33 p.m., not long after he said he noticed funnel clouds above his own house.
"The winds were extensive and they caused a great deal of damage," he told CP24. "One half of my town is functioning as normal, the other half is quite chaotic."
Latest information:
At least 8,800 people in Midland without power
Storms moving east to Peterborough
Second severe weather system moving north from U.S. into Ontario
As many as 40 mobile homes were destroyed and a number of other buildings were damaged, he said.
Local resident Jaz Patel told CTV News Channel that he looked up and saw "debris flying over our building, two-by-fours and all that, just funneling around."
"You could see the water on the roof being sucked back inside the tornado."
Ontario Provincial Police also reported "tornado activity" east of Midland in Severn Township.
The weather system is continuing to move east. A tornado warning has been issued for Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes, Environment Canada said. And a tornado watch is in effect from Tweed, south to Prince Edward County and east to Kingston.
"Radar is detecting a severe rotating storm possibly producing a tornado northwest of Lindsay," it says.
"This is a warning that severe thunderstorms with tornadoes are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions. Take immediate safety precautions."
Another severe weather system is also moving north from the U.S., prompting Environment Canada to issue a tornado warning for Windsor, Leamington, and Essex County. Chatham-Kent and Rondeau Park are under a tornado watch.
In Midland, Smith's Trailer Park and Camp was struck by damaging winds at around 6:50 p.m.
There were also reports of gas leaks and other damage at the park, along with downed trees. Because of the gas leaks, police set up a perimeter around the stricken town.
"All you could hear was sirens for an hour," Patel said.
A nearby Honda auto dealership also suffered damage, along with a marina and possibly a Wal-Mart. Still images sent from the scene show a toppled trailer and downed lines across roads.
Midland sits on the southern shore of Georgian Bay about 150 kilometres north of Toronto.
At 6:40 p.m. Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Midland, Coldwater and Orr Lake.
"Radar is detecting a severe thunderstorm east of Midland moving eastward at 50 km/h. This storm is showing a radar signature of rotation and is capable of producing large hail and damaging wind gusts," it said.
Such storm systems can produce tornadoes, it said.
Shortly before 8 p.m. Emergency Management Ontario issued a red alert for an area bounded by Penetanguishene, Collingwood, Orillia and Barrie.
"Everyone in this area, including motorists and boaters, are required to go indoors now and seek shelter. Close all doors and windows," the agency said.
That alert is in effect until 10:30 p.m.
Smith's Trailer Park
-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 23rd of June 2010 10:13:53 PM
