Post by Rick (Admin) on Jul 19, 2013 18:36:30 GMT -5
Storm wreaks havoc
Jim Staples dropped to his living room floor and covered his head as trees toppled onto his front porch and roof.
Callander and East Ferris communities were hit hard by a late Friday morning storm causing extensive property damage leaving hundreds of people without hydro.
Fierce winds and heavy rain uprooted trees leaving them hanging over-top of homes, sheds and swing-sets were destroyed and properties were left in shambles.
Large trees were strewn across roads and hydro and telephone poles were toppled leaving lines dangling from broken tree limbs.
“There was a lot of wind. I was sitting close to my front window and saw the storm coming, within seconds the winds doubled in strength,” said 81-year-old Staples as he watched his son use a chainsaw to cut up a large green ash tree that fell near his home.
“The winds were so strong you could see trees around the area bending right over. I got on the floor, laid on my tummy and waited.”
Callander Mayor Hec Lavigne declared a state of emergency as a result of the destruction caused by the storm.
He said the south-end of the community was hardest hit.
“It's heartfelt to see the amount of damage our community sustained, but we will endure and get past this. We have a team that can face this,” Lavigne said.
He said there was significant property damage and hydro lines were still down and sparking as of Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Environment Canada issued several weather alerts Friday to include tornado and thunder storm warnings for the area.
Main and King Streets in Callander were closed indefinitely.
Callander Volunteer Fire Department were also on scene assessing the damage and helping residents remove the broken trees from their properties.
They assisted North Bay Police Service as they checked residential homes for injuries. There were no reports of injuries.
Memory Tree Park, off Main Street also sustained significant damage.
Lavigne said the majority of the large trees in the park were destroyed.
Residents walked by the quaint park shaking their heads looking at the destruction in disbelief.
Callander resident Sherri Stebbins said she didn't hear the wind until it was close.
“I was shutting my windows and I saw my large maple tree come crashing down. The wind blew out our window screens and broke most of the tops of our trees, which landed in our neighbour's yard.”
Stebbins said the storm came quickly, but only lasted a minute or two.
Jillian Hewitt isn't sure when she will be able to return to her home.
A small tree went through the basement window, as well, the front part of the home where trees had fallen on it is starting to leak.
East Ferris Mayor Bill Vrebosch said Corbeil was also hit hard.
“We have many roads with no power. Our residents can expect Lake Nosbonsing Road to be without power for a day or two,” he said.
“The hydro poles were smashed and the lines are broken. We're asking residents to check their neighbours and help each other.”
Several North Bay areas sustained minor damage to include Mountainview, Golf Course, Decaire, Northshore and Peninsula Roads.
Police are also warning residents to be careful around watershed areas.
North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority upgraded the watershed conditions statement to a flood advisory.
“The system that has recently passed through the North Bay-Mattawa area has caused some watercourses to rise quickly. Of particular concern is Chippewa Creek,” the conservation authority stated in a media release.