8/20/09 DISC: ON

[Rocky Rascovich]

Hopefully, I have this in the right spot as this is almost qualifies for a SUMM, except.. I wasn't there (too bad), so MOD's feel free to move this where you wish. This event however is still ongoing as several tornadoes have been reported.

Apparently the community of Durham, ON. in the southwest part of the province, was hit by a significant tornado a few hours ago. Reports are sketchy but one fatality has been confirmed. The squall line is still raging through Ontario as I type this with EC issuing tornado warnings for several areas including near the GTA (Greater Toronto area). Would love to get some feedback from this event, especially from our fellow stormtrack members from north of the border. Below is an article just released from the CBC along with a picture of one of the tornadoes taken near Collingwood.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/08/20/tornado-durham.html?ref=rss

 

[Laura Duchesne]

I was never on it and all we got was just a dumping of rain here in SW Ontario before it moved ENE to the metro area and intensified big time. Someone posted a video of the Vaughan tube here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTxTWc0ShAg

 

[DavePatrick]

Just an update here. I was chasing the storm that hit Durham and caused the 1 fatality. This areas is heavily wooded and even being behind the tornado by 2 kms I maybe caught a glimpse of it a few times before road construction killed my chase day.

As for a summary update of this event, this day recorded 18 confirmed tornadoes now and this makes it break 2 records now; the most tornadoes in a single day in Ontario and the most tornadoes in a single day in Canada.

I have also heard that a 19th may be added in the near future.