For those unaffected, it’s hard to imagine the devastation two tornados brought upon the Ottawa-Gatineau region on Friday.
The first twister, an EF-3 with wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph, struck the town of Dunrobin, Ont., just outside of Ottawa. After destroying 60 buildings, it then moved towards Gatineau., where another 215 buildings were damged or destroyed. A second tornado, meanwhile, terrorized the Arlington Woods neighbourhood in South Ottawa.
Even today, three days after the storm, residents are urged to stay home at the city rushes to clean up the aftermath. With some parts of the region still without power, residents are asked to lighten their burden on the electrical grid. Schools remain closed, while federal employees have been given the day off. Miraculously, no one died during the angry weather.
A video taken shortly after the storm in Gatineau offers a glimpse of the nightmare:
It really looks like something out of a movie…
UPDATE: The tornado watch for Ottawa has now ended.
Here's how the damage looks so far: https://t.co/pV74dcy1fx pic.twitter.com/c7tiIyRdjt
— CBC Ottawa (@CBCOttawa) September 21, 2018
We are very proud of @RenCtyParamedic crews, Sierra Team & our Drone Pilots for responding to multiple calls for service from #Calabogie to #Dunrobin due to #onstorm tornado. Strong teamwork with #CACC's, @LanarkMedic @Ottawa_Medic serving many people in need of #Paramedic care. pic.twitter.com/LLQo7AdsYj
— ChiefMNolan (@ChiefMNolan) September 22, 2018
Ottawa!
My fiends neighbourhood got hit by a tornado! And now sheets of rain where I am with Anita! pic.twitter.com/ZPmfzWSqad— Sheila North (@TheSheilaNorth) September 21, 2018
#Ottawa #Canada
Damage from #tornado tonight near #Ottawa, in #DunrobinSep 21, 2018 pic.twitter.com/zAXeSvnS19
— Capital News ? (@SocialTekOttawa) September 21, 2018
Photos and video: Tornado rips through Ottawa and Gatineau https://t.co/TTIvkASNbj pic.twitter.com/yTu0tNZMFP
— Ottawa Citizen (@OttawaCitizen) September 23, 2018
Holy geez! My heart goes out to #Dunrobin #devastating #ottawatornado pic.twitter.com/w8F3L1FkZF
— Ms. Sto̷rm ?? (@EuphoriaStorm) September 24, 2018
#ottawatornado #ottawahydro #ottawacitizen Beautiful Arlington Woods after the tornado. Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/UVohRHlJvb
— Susi Kennedy (@SusiKennedy3) September 24, 2018
Egan: A flood, cancer, a tornado — 'we're being tested' – Ottawa Citizen https://t.co/DLQbNeSAaZ pic.twitter.com/F3Qd7eaDju
— Faz Fzingo (@Theophany1) September 24, 2018
Canadian Capital Ottawa after Tornado ?????? pic.twitter.com/DIffXIXsxB
— Asif (@asif166) September 23, 2018
Here’s how you can contribute to relief efforts this week (courtesy ottawastart.com).
- – The Canadian Red Cross is accepting financial donations by phone, 1-800-418-1111, or at local Red Cross offices.
- – The Salvation Army is accepting donations of clothes, furniture or household items. Donations can be made at Sally Anne thrift stores. Pickups can be arranged for large items by phone, 613-247-1435 ext. 228.
- – Kanata MPP Merrilee Fullerton’s constituency office, 100-240 Michael Cowpland Dr. Kanata, is open 9 a.m. Monday to accept clothing donations and supplies.
- – West-end food banks are accepting donations, as is the Ottawa Food Bank.
- – The Ottawa Senators have started an online fundraiser.
- – There’s a Facebook page for coordinating donations/assistance for Dunrobin residents.