A derecho, which is a widespread long-lived windstorm associated with a line of thunderstorms, developed near Sarnia late Saturday morning and tracked northeastward over Southern Ontario, crossing Ottawa Saturday afternoon. Damaging wind gusts were reported over a large swath of Southern Ontario as the severe thunderstorms raced through.
There have been ten fatalities reported as a result of the strong winds with this line of thunderstorms. There was also extensive damage to trees, power lines and buildings. There were also overturned cars reported as well as widespread power outages.
More than 350,000 customers were without power from this storm Saturday. Power outages continue in many areas tonight.
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 90
Oshawa Airport 89
Toronto Island Airport 89
Trenton 83
Guelph 83
Visiting Kitchener. A lot of very large trees are down in this neighbourhood. Stanley Park area. #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/d0sx28NJ7G
— Peter K Burian (@PKB_Canada) May 23, 2022
From a viewer just now. Barns down in Navan animals trapped. Extensive damage in east #ottawa #onstorm #ottnews pic.twitter.com/36mo0aZGl8
— Graham Richardson (@grahamctv) May 22, 2022
Cars flipped and spun in Uxbridge @weathernetwork #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/Fw4lMwMEJC
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) May 22, 2022
In the midst of the worst damage in Uxbridge. @weathernetwork #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/t2siZV7vbV
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) May 22, 2022
