Heavy thunderstorms producing strong wind gusts and possible tornadoes rolled across Sarnia-Lambton Sunday morning.
A farm on Gordon Road between Arkona and Thedford sustained extensive damage.
Ian Vanengelen thinks a tornado hit his dairy farm.
"It got real windy and then my brother called me in a panic telling me to hurry up and get to the dairy barn," said Vanengelen. "When I pulled in I couldn't really believe my eyes, there's steel everywhere, trees down, a complete mess."
He said his uncle was lucky to escape injury.
"He just got away on time, he could have easily got hit, tires were flying and steel, so he got lucky."
Vanengelen said a barn, a shed and the house were extensively damaged but no one was hurt and no animals were lost. In short order, he said there were friends, neighbours and family on scene offering support and helping clear debris.
Arkona area storm damage July 19, 2020 (Photo courtesy of Ian Vanengelen)
Environment Canada posted severe thunderstorm watches and warnings across the region including Sarnia-Lambton Sunday morning.
Meteorologists were tracking a line of storms capable of producing very strong wind gusts and heavy rain.
The line of storms stretched from north of Goderich to Sarnia moving rapidly east at 70 kilometres an hour.
Hazards included wind gusts near 100 kilometres an hour and the risk of tornadoes.
At 11:12 a.m. a tornado warning was issued for the London-Middlesex area.
A heat warning remained in effect at the time for Sarnia-Lambton. Forecasters said slightly cooler and less humid air could arrive Monday. Environment Canada ended the heat warning Sunday afternoon.
Sue Storr of Blackburn News Sarnia talks to Ian Vanengelen about the extensive damage done to his dairy farm between Arkona and Thedford Sunday July 19, 2020.
[audio wav="https://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Arkona-Tornado-Interview.wav"][/audio]