Courtesy of cleanbreak.ca

Surprising and violent, four suspected tornadoes unleashed their wrath upon the unsuspecting communities of southern Ontario on Thursday. I say “suspected tornadoes” because according to Environment Canada data from the storms must first be collected and analyzed before they are officially categorized as tornadoes. There is a remote possibility that they could have been funnel clouds. The cause of the storm activity is most likely the recent hot and humid air in the region.

The tornadoes touched down in Durham and Vaughn. Both of these communities were very hard hit and have declared a state of emergency. In Woodbridge and Maple 120 homes had to be evacuated after sustaining serious damage and there is a possibility that several of these homes will have to be completely demolished. Evacuation centres have been established at two community centres and the Red Cross is on site to provide assistance. From there the storm cells moved eastward placing Toronto, Hamilton, Peterborough, and dozens of other towns and cities under tornado warnings. As the storm approached Kingston, it was downgraded to severe thunderstorm warnings, but the risk of tornadoes no longer existed.

Immediately following the storm there were 69,000 Hydro One customers without power. As work to restore power continues there still remain 20,000 customers without power.

With all of the modern technology available why can’t we forecast tornadoes or funnel clouds? Thursday’s forecast called for thunderstorms in the morning, which never happened and clearing in the afternoon, with a chance of more thunderstorms in the evening. There was no mention of the possibility of severe weather and no warnings or alerts were posted. How does a tornado just appear out of the blue?

Courtesy of bbs.stardestroyer.net

According to Environment Canada lightning kills about seven people and seriously injures 60 to 70 people in Canada each year. The majority of these tragedies happen in the afternoon and early evening during the summer when people are caught outdoors. If you are inadvertently caught outdoors there are ways to protect yourself from lightning strikes.

• You may have a built-in warning system for lightning. If you feel a tingling sensation, your hair stands on end, or you smell sulfur, lightning might be about to strike.
• If possible go into a protected building, a car with a hardtop, a tunnel, subway, cave, or a ditch.
• You should not be higher than your surroundings. Try to go to an area of lower elevation. If you are in an open space crouch down and cover your ears. Don’t lie down or place your hands on the ground because a lightning strike could electrify the ground that you are lying on.
• Stay away from trees.
• Don’t use your umbrella. Put it down and walk away.
• Leave wet areas, pools, lakes, and beaches immediately.
• Avoid metal objects – scooters, bicycles, motorcycles, golf carts, fences, poles, power lines.
• If you are with a group, spread out.

We all feel safe from lightening strikes at home and frequently watch storms from our balconies or windows. But, are we really safe? What should you do if you are indoors during a lightening storm?

• Stay away from doors and windows.
• Don’t use the phone, except during an emergency.
• Don’t use electrical appliances.
• Don’t unplug any electronic equipment or electrical appliances during a storm.
• Refrain from touching sinks, faucets, baths, and showers – any wet places.