Several people have been injured in a tornado that caused significant damage to homes, businesses and vehicles on Thursday afternoon in Barrie. No fatalities have been reported at this time.
Barrie Police say officers were going door to door to check on residents in a neighbourhood hit by the tornado and have called in the OPP for assistance.
Police are asking people to stay away from the region.
Some homes have sustained structural damage, some have lost power and some gas lines have been affected.
There’s no word yet on how many people have been affected.
Mapleview Drive East and Prince William Way was the hardest hit, where there is major construction in the area including a high school being built.
Many residents in Barrie shared photos and videos on social media of the destruction in the aftermath of the tornado, showing homes with their roofs torn off, overturned vehicles and debris in the streets.
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is providing care for a number of patients who suffered minor injuries as a result of the severe storm in the south end of Barrie earlier this afternoon.
RVH is working closely with County of Simcoe Paramedic Services, Barrie Police Service and Barrie Fire and has staff and physicians on standby should extra resources be required.
“Our team is highly skilled and trained to handle emergency situations as this,” says Janice Skot, RVH president and CEO. “We are ready to provide whatever level of care and support needed. In fact, we have deployed a physician and nurse to the area to assist with determining if someone needs further care in our Emergency department. Our thoughts go out to the families and businesses impacted by the storm.”
This is a developing story and more details will be provided as they become available.
To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
#barrie #Tornado I didn't realize what was happening when I started filming but I ended it quick and ran to the basement. We're all okay. pic.twitter.com/VMjl8xnJdd
— Stephanie Aivaz✨? (@stephiebooks) July 15, 2021
We are ok. Just made it to basement. #barrie #tornado pic.twitter.com/snYtmbfCBs
— Natalie Harris (Personal Account) (@JustNatHarris) July 15, 2021
Significant damage in #Barrie from suspected tornado touchdown. Environment Canada will be provide more details as they become available pic.twitter.com/eAEI3cONwp
— Muskoka411 NEWS (@Muskoka411) July 15, 2021
