A tornado potentially touched down in Ayr, Ont., on Saturday morning amid a tornado warning for the area. The city noted that the tornado had potentially touched down near Greenfield and Northumberland roads shortly before 10:50 a.m. Environment Canada issued a tornado warning at 10:42, stating they were tracking a severe thunderstorm that could produce a tornado. Global News contacted the Northern Tornadoes Project and Environment Canada to confirm if a tornado had indeed touched down in the area. A trained spotter reported a damaging tornado in the Drumbo area southwest of Kitchener/Cambridge, with an NTP storm damage survey team preparing to investigate the area. The tornado warning remained in place, and residents were advised to seek shelter if in the area.
The township of North Dumfries reported that the sports park, Cowan Park, had received extensive damage, and properties on Greenfield Road West and along the Northumberland Street corridor were also damaged. Emergency crews were deployed to the impacted area immediately upon the first report of property damage, with additional resources from GrandBridge Energy joining the efforts. The CPKC was checking on its rail cars as it was reported that some may have derailed. Waterloo Regional Police confirmed reports of a train derailment in the area, but no hazardous materials were involved, and the incident was managed by railway employees without the need for emergency service assistance.
Reports also indicated damage to a Home Hardware store in which the roof was partially torn off, leading to the evacuation of the business. All employees and customers were able to exit safely. The fire department in North Dumfries was conducting wellness checks, with no injuries reported thus far. The public was urged to avoid driving in the area to prevent traffic congestion, which was hindering emergency crews from completing their tasks. Global News reached out to CKPC for more information on the potential derailment and further updates on the situation are awaited.
The tornado warning and potential tornado touchdown in Ayr, Ont., prompted swift response from emergency crews and damage assessment teams in the area. Reports indicated extensive damage to Cowan Park and numerous properties along Greenfield Road West and Northumberland Street. The trained spotter also reported a damaging tornado in the Drumbo area, leading to a storm damage survey team being dispatched to investigate further. The incident also resulted in a train derailment, with reports of several rail cars flipped over, although no hazardous materials were involved, and emergency service assistance was deemed unnecessary.
The CPKC was monitoring its rail cars, and Waterloo Regional Police were responding to reports of the train derailment in the area. Additionally, a Home Hardware store suffered damage with the partial tearing off of its roof, necessitating the evacuation of the premises. Fortunately, all employees and customers were able to exit safely, and the fire department conducted wellness checks with no injuries reported at the time. The public was advised to avoid driving in the affected area to allow emergency crews to carry out their tasks efficiently. Global News continued to seek updates from relevant authorities and organizations involved in managing the aftermath of the tornado touchdown and related incidents.
The tornado warning and potential touchdown in Ayr, Ont., underscored the importance of preparedness and swift response in mitigating the impact of severe weather events. The collaborative efforts of emergency crews, damage assessment teams, and relevant organizations were crucial in addressing the aftermath of the tornado and ensuring the safety of residents in the affected area. The damage incurred by Cowan Park, properties along Greenfield Road West and Northumberland Street, as well as the reported train derailment and damage to a local hardware store, highlighted the destructive force of tornadoes and the need for vigilance in such situations. The ongoing monitoring and response efforts by authorities aimed to minimize further risks and restore normalcy to the community in the wake of the natural disaster.
