OTTAWA —A tornado touched down in a suburb in the south end of Ottawa, police said Thursday, as they advised residents to seek shelter from the storm.There are no reports of serious injuries or serious structural damage yet, but Ottawa Fire Services said approximately 50 houses are affected in the area of Umbra Place in Barrhaven.The paramedics, police, firefighters and structural collapse teams have been dispatched to the tornado hit area. Several officers have been deployed to Barrhaven, to assess damage and assist residents said the Ottawa police, warning residents to stay away from the neighbourhood for public safety, amid an increase in traffic entering Barrhaven. Police advised residents to seek shelter.Many shared photos and videos on social media of a tornado funnelling, dishevelled pieces of roofing material were seen roaming in the air, leaves being blown around and trees downed in suburban areas.Firefighters are going door to door in the worst areas checking on residents and shutting down gas and hydro on multiple units.Firefighters warned residents to stay away from forested areas as trees that have been damaged can fall unexpectedly and to treat all downed wires as live and not try to move them. “We are aware of the significant debris across Barrhaven. City staff have been notified and will be preparing and acting accordingly. There may be road closures due to fallen trees, electrical wires,” tweeted David Hill, a councillor for Barrhaven West.“This incident has a large footprint and officers and partners are working diligently to assist everyone needing help,” he added.A family reunification centre has been established at the Minto Recreation Complex, 3500 Cambrian Road in Barrhaven.Ottawa Public Health said there is mental health support available for those affected by the storm.“For many of us, it’s just some pictures and videos we’ll see online. But for a lot of people in our city, this is downright brutal … and will likely be that way for days to come. And the stressful memories could last for a while, too,” it tweeted.Environment Canada has issued a tornado warning for the entire National Capital Region, as well as much of southwestern Quebec, including the Island of Montreal.The weather agency said meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado.It says warnings are also in effect for the Montreal area, and regions to the west and north.With files from the Canadian Press Irem Koca is an Ottawa-based general assignment reporter for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @iremreports
OTTAWA —A tornado touched down in a suburb in the south end of Ottawa, police said Thursday, as they advised residents to seek shelter from the storm.
There are no reports of serious injuries or serious structural damage yet, but Ottawa Fire Services said approximately 50 houses are affected in the area of Umbra Place in Barrhaven.
The paramedics, police, firefighters and structural collapse teams have been dispatched to the tornado hit area.
Several officers have been deployed to Barrhaven, to assess damage and assist residents said the Ottawa police, warning residents to stay away from the neighbourhood for public safety, amid an increase in traffic entering Barrhaven. Police advised residents to seek shelter.
Many shared photos and videos on social media of a tornado funnelling, dishevelled pieces of roofing material were seen roaming in the air, leaves being blown around and trees downed in suburban areas.
Firefighters are going door to door in the worst areas checking on residents and shutting down gas and hydro on multiple units.
Firefighters warned residents to stay away from forested areas as trees that have been damaged can fall unexpectedly and to treat all downed wires as live and not try to move them.
“We are aware of the significant debris across Barrhaven. City staff have been notified and will be preparing and acting accordingly. There may be road closures due to fallen trees, electrical wires,” tweeted David Hill, a councillor for Barrhaven West.
“This incident has a large footprint and officers and partners are working diligently to assist everyone needing help,” he added.
A family reunification centre has been established at the Minto Recreation Complex, 3500 Cambrian Road in Barrhaven.
Ottawa Public Health said there is mental health support available for those affected by the storm.
“For many of us, it’s just some pictures and videos we’ll see online. But for a lot of people in our city, this is downright brutal … and will likely be that way for days to come. And the stressful memories could last for a while, too,” it tweeted.
Environment Canada has issued a tornado warning for the entire National Capital Region, as well as much of southwestern Quebec, including the Island of Montreal.
The weather agency said meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado.
It says warnings are also in effect for the Montreal area, and regions to the west and north.
With files from the Canadian Press
Irem Koca is an Ottawa-based general assignment reporter for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @iremreports
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