Storm surveyors have confirmed significant damage reported in parts of Chatham-Kent and Essex County during Wednesday's storm was due to a tornado and a downburst.
On Friday, the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP), an organization of researchers based out of Western University that study tornado events across the country, released their findings after attending several sites in southwestern Ontario on Thursday, including the municipalities of Blenheim, Harrow, and Kingsville.
Following their surveys, NTP determined an EF1 tornado cut through the northern end of Blenheim, while a downburst, that occurred in the Harrow and Kingsville areas, also caused EF1 damage on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
Based on radar, researchers believe the tornado in Blenheim touched down around 4:30 p.m.
“Damage to homes, sheds and trees was reported in Blenheim after a storm passed through. No injuries were reported,” read the report by NTP.
Data indicates the twister had maximum wind speeds of 160 kilometres per hour, and tracked across land for approximately 9.7 km, with a path width of about 300 metres. Drone footage obtained by NTP showed the worst of the damage was dealt to a shed on Vander Avenue that was destroyed after it was ripped from the foundation it was anchored to. Tornadic swirl patterns were also found in crops north of Mango Lane in Blenheim.
Crews headed to Essex County next to survey whether another tornado touched down in the region.
“Damage to power poles and trees was reported in the Harrow-Colchester area and eastward to Kingsville after a storm passed through. No injuries were reported,” the NTP report stated.
Findings determined the damage in Essex County was consistent with a downburst, a sudden downward burst of wind that occurs from the base of a thunderstorm across a small area. Air rushes towards the ground at high speeds before it hits the surface and spreads out in all directions. A downburst is often responsible for causing extensive tree or building damage.
NTP believes the downburst in Harrow-Kingsville took place just before 4 p.m., with wind speeds estimated at around 145 km/h. The worst of the damage left a home crushed, after a large tree fell on top of it.
Investigators conducted ground and drone surveys at each location to review damages.
