Storm update

[vaneramos]

Dad just called back on his new iPhone. Their land lines are out and hydro is expected to be out for two days. Dad said the storm hit about 2 a.m. and it sounded like a fire hose washing all over the house. Neither his house nor Betty's were damaged but a tornado probably touched down along Erie Road and Ridge Road (the route my school bus used to take). A large metal barn was destroyed, trees uprooted and broken, hydro poles snapped and dozens of cars smashed. The golf course across the road from Dad's house has at least 10 trees that need to be taken down. Dad and Betty spent today clearing refuse off her lawn, and will work on his tomorrow. At least everyone is okay, and Dad says they're grateful.

It sounds like Harrow and environs have not received much emergency relief or attention from local politicians. Meanwhile the larger town of Leamington has been declared a disaster area.

The same area was hit by a freak rainstorm and severe flooding on July 19, 1989 (scroll down to the third item). The local agricultural research station recorded 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain within a few hours, but other observations indicate 450 mm (17.7 in) fell over a small area.

Comments

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

I saw the coverage of Leamington's tornado on The National tonight, and thought of you and your dad. I'm glad he made it through OK.