Several thousand Hydro One customers remain without power in Midwestern Ontario due to fallen trees and power lines after Tuesday evening's severe weather. The clean-up continues across the region from Tuesday's massive storms that included reports of suspected tornados in Kingsbridge, Lucknow, and Port Elgin. The storm system rolled through around 4:45 p.m. afternoon.
The largest power outages are along Lake Huron between Lurgan beach and Sauble Beach, with Hydro one reporting restoration times as late as 11:00 pm tonight in the Port Elgin area. Several customers in the Lurgan Beach area may not have power until late tomorrow afternoon.
Westario Power crews also continue to replace poles and lines damaged by last evening’s storm in the town of Port Elgin and north of the Saugeen River in Southampton. Approximately 200 Westario Power customers, north of the Saugeen River in Southampton, continue to experience a power outage caused by damage from high winds, lightning, and heavy rain/hail. The estimated time of restoration is 11:00pm this evening. Twelve customers will remain without power into tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon as restoration efforts are ongoing to this affected area. Over 8 hundred customers in Port Elgin should have power back sometime after dinner. Power has been restored to the Lucknow area.
People are reminded to stay clear of any fallen power lines – these power lines are difficult to see and have the potential to remain energized – this is an extremely dangerous situation.
Saugeen Shores Police Service put out a statement late Tuesday, asking afternoon warning people to stay home to give crews time to assess damage and dangers.
Western University's Northern Tornados Project is likely to be back in the area today surveying damage.
The University of Western Ontario's Northern Tornadoes Project has confirmed twisters formed in Midwestern Ontario on September 5th and 6th.
Three EF-0 tornadoes were confirmed from Witness videos and pictures west of Pike Bay over Lake Huron September 5th at about 7:30 pm. No damage was reported.
And the Project team also confirmed an EF-0 twister caused a narrow trail of tree damage for about 2 km in the Port Albert area at 4:00 am September 6th. It had wind speeds of about 115 km/hr.
A tornado was observed over Lake Huron Tuesday (see https://t.co/mtAVs7c35W). It appears it came ashore causing damage to barns, trees, etc.
Two NTP teams will survey this and other damage. Please send additional reports to @NTP_Reports or ntp@uwo.ca. #ONStorm— Northern Tornadoes Project ?? (@westernuNTP) September 8, 2021
A tree pulled from the ground during a storm on September 7, 2021. (Picture courtesy of Christine Chabot)
--WITH FILES FROM STEVE SABOURIN