A very strong line of thunderstorms developed near Sarnia late Saturday morning and tracked northeastward over Southern Ontario towards Ottawa Saturday afternoon. Damaging wind gusts were reported over a large swath of Southern Ontario as the severe thunderstorms raced through.
There were five fatalities reported and a few others injured as a result of the strong winds with this line of thunderstorms. There was also extensive damage to trees, power lines and buildings. Environment Canada says there were also overturned cars reported as well as widespread power outages.
More than 350,000 customers were without power from this storm
Saturday. Many power outages continue today.
More than 350,000 customers were without power from this storm Saturday. Many power outages continue today.
The following is a summary of peak wind gusts observed with this line of thunderstorms in kilometres per hour:
Kitchener – Waterloo Airport 132
Ottawa International Airport 120
Toronto Pearson International Airport 120
Toronto Buttonville Airport 110
Brantford Airport 104
Uxbridge 100
Elora 99
Ottawa Central Experimental Farm 93
Gatineau 89
Oshawa Airport 89
Toronto Island Airport 89
Trenton 83
Guelph 83
Environment and Climate Change Canada would like to thank all those who have taken time to send reports when safe to do so.
Reports such as pictures and videos can be sent to Environment and Climate Change Canada by emailing onstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweeting with the hashtag #ONStorm.
A little more than 18hrs ago, #ONstorm hit @CityKitchener with winds up to 132 km/h, leaving over 21k customers without power. ? Much thanks and gratitude to the women & men at @KWHydro who have worked tirelessly throughout the day & night to get power back for over 20k so far! pic.twitter.com/hgzXB2FciM
— Berry Vrbanovic (@berryonline) May 22, 2022
Merivale Mall in Ottawa, photo from unknown on reddit courtesy of @MattBosty #onstorm pic.twitter.com/TWqjx6o2X2
— Connor Mockett (@ConnorMockettWX) May 21, 2022
Nice day out ?#onstorm #shareyourweather #toronto #Thunderstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/LvDeG78SWJ
— Conny (@ConnyCurrently) May 21, 2022
You can see the sheet of dirt and the car being pushed in the #ONStorm #ontstorm #ottnews @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/Py6iJyxKEt
— Adam Safaoui (@adam_safaoui) May 21, 2022