125 Homes Damaged in Tornado: City Says

Published 07/13/2023 · Updated 07/14/2023

This is a release from the City of Ottawa:

Mayor Sutcliffe and Members of Council,

We now have more precise numbers to report to you, as well as a better sense of the tornado impacts.

There were 125 properties damaged this afternoon in Barrhaven, with varying degrees of severity:

Area 1: Umbra Place / Watercolours Way – 50 houses
Area 2: Perseus Way / Proxima Terrace – 35 houses
Area 3: Jockvale Road / Exeter Drive – 30-40 houses

The Minto Recreation Complex at 3500 Cambrian Road will be open until 11:00 pm tonight to assist impacted residents.

We want to ensure that residents continue to have access to supports and information. As such, the Minto Complex will re-open tomorrow, as a Community Support Centre, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The City will have representatives present once again from Building Code Services, Ottawa Fire Services, and Emergency Social Services/Canadian Red Cross.

Hydro Ottawa has restored power to the impacted areas in Barrhaven. They continue to assess the areas though for any secondary damage.

There are no reported impacts to City infrastructure. Public Works Department have prioritized debris removal today related to public safety (e.g., branches or tree limbs that are blocking roads). They are finalizing a debris removal plan for the remainder of the City’s clean-up work in Barrhaven. Staff are also working on messaging to residents for tomorrow, to support resident clean-up efforts.

The impacted areas in Barrhaven continue to experience some traffic impacts, including detours. Residents who are outside the Barrhaven area should avoid travel to this part of the City, where possible.

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This evening, Ottawa Fire Services will conduct patrols of the impacted areas.

Thank you to everyone for their support and quick mobilization.

Best regards,

Beth

Beth Gooding

Director

Public Safety Service, Emergency and Protective Services

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