EF3 tornado rips Ottawa Gatineau. Injuries & destruction as Dunrobin devastated
This was the most significant tornado to hit Ontario since the Goderich tornado of 2011 and one of the most powerful since the 1985 EF4s at Barrie and Grand Valley. The tornado touched down at around 4:40pm near White Lake where it ripped through forest. Trees smashed down onto cabins and camp grounds, and two campers there were injured. It then passed near the community of Kinburn, where farms and homes suffered significant damage. Residents capture photos and videos of the tornado as it passed by the town, a large cone with a debris plume swirling at its base.
From there the tornado grew in size as it intensified. It took aim at the village of Dunrobin and plowed directly into the community. The damage was catastrophic. The tornado shredded trees, picked up and hurled vehicles, and blew apart dozens of houses. A few were levelled to the ground, their debris swept away leaving only bare foundations. In addition, the tornado damaged the beloved Heart and Soul Cafe and blew apart its neighbouring gift shop. It blasted through the Dunrobin Plaza, exploding widows and tearing apart the roof. Media reports indicated that dozens of people suffered minor injuries, and up to six people were left in critical condition. The tornado dissipated at around 5:20pm after being on the ground for around forty minutes.
Departing the ravaged village, the tornado crossed the Ottawa River and passed into Quebec. It tracked north of Aylmer and then into the western Mont-Bleu neighbourhood of Gatineau. It tore the roofs and upper stories off of dozens of buildings and apartment complexes, hurled debris and flipped cars. Residents of Ottawa captured videos of the tornado from the south side of the river as a plume of debris exploded transformers as it cut into Gatineau.
#onstorm #onwx If you’re in the Arnprior area please SEEK SHELTER NOW!!!!
This tornado warned storm is very likely producing a tornado.
– Brennen P. pic.twitter.com/fAwSmmJlBD
— Instant Weather ON (@IWeatherON) September 21, 2018
#onstorm – White Lake outside of Arnprior area hit hard – campers hurt and taken to hospital @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/xmm6lqTJCh
— Dave Connelly (@DaveConnelly82) September 21, 2018
Another photo of the #damage caused by the potential mini #tornado in White Lake, just west of #Ottawa. This image taken just past the uprooted 200 year old tree. #ONStorm Permission to reuse with credit. pic.twitter.com/WAB2Zn4OnW
— Paul Mak (@Jarod997) September 22, 2018
#ottawa #ottweather #kinburn #storm #stormy pic.twitter.com/PeaB3WVtto
— Sutty (@Suttya41) September 21, 2018
Picture from my parents living room in Kinburn as the tornado took out barns and houses. #tornadoinottawa #tornado #kinburn #dunrobintornado pic.twitter.com/7VIorBoHZ2
— Luc Rheaume (@luc_rheaume) September 22, 2018
#ONStorm the radar scope scan relating to the Dunrobin tweet XFT – Base Velocity Tilt 1 17:50 ADT Base Reflectivity Tilt 1 17:50 ADT pic.twitter.com/XvKdLJgyy6
— Meteo Marsh (@MeteoMarsh) September 21, 2018
Just passed Dunrobin – seemed to travel straight down Thomas Dolan Parkway…
(Permission for any news to use – no worries) #ottweather #Ontweather pic.twitter.com/Q7OsOoXJfF— Jon (@_memorable2) September 21, 2018
More pictures from Dunrobin. Many residents saying they saw the tornado. “It was massive,” one witness told me. #ottnews #Dunrobin pic.twitter.com/ohKqAhDeAl
— Matt Day (@mattdaymedia) September 21, 2018
Photos that my mom took of the tornado damage in Dunrobin #onstorm #ottweather #Ottawa pic.twitter.com/I0iT5TIY0t
— Lauren (@_rawrenn) 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
Drone footage from Dunrobin area. #Ottnews #Ottcity #OttawaOutage pic.twitter.com/0ocrOGwSp8
— Hydro Ottawa (@hydroottawa) September 22, 2018
This is what the tornado damage looks like from above.
The cleanup won't be easy or fast: https://t.co/07tpe5kQ5d #ottawa #gatineau #ottnews #ottweather #ottstorm pic.twitter.com/yD85Menr2Y
— CBC Ottawa (@CBCOttawa) September 22, 2018
This was taken around 5pm and seems to show a funnel cloud behind Parliament Hill – there is damage in Dunrobin and Gatineau #ottawa pic.twitter.com/eQrPftA1cV
— Mike Le Couteur (@mikelecouteur) September 21, 2018
Video from my friend Dave MacDonald who was in the storm with his young family #onstorm #tornado #ottawastorm pic.twitter.com/A5sXfGVVRV
— Mercedes Stephenson (@MercedesGlobal) September 21, 2018
So looks like I was at the mall when the tornado passed right by. #gatineau #Tornado #lespromenades pic.twitter.com/7XCSJJ9oNu
— Lisa Silver (@LisaJaneSilver) September 21, 2018
Views from Global Affairs! #Tornado sighting across the river in #Gatineau around 5:15pm. Watch for the fire shortly after I zoom in. Hope everyone is ok! #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/Ux1NBRiKUC
— Lynne Lessard (@lynnelessard) September 21, 2018
Environment Canada confirms that a tornado did touch down in #Dunrobin – Ontario and in #Gatineau – Quebec
These photos are from Gatineau #MontBleu pic.twitter.com/yZFHgNSQyU
— Mark Day (@MarkDayNews) September 21, 2018
