City of Barrie picks up the pieces after devastating tornado plows through neighbourhood
On Thursday, a south-end neighbourhood in Barrie, Ont. was devastated as an EF-2 tornado ripped through homes, injuring 11 people.
The twister left a trail of destruction in the Prince William Way area five kilometres long and up to 100 metres wide in the city north of Toronto.
Officials say 11 people were injured, 10 were sent to the hospital, two with serious injuries. No one was killed.
The powerful winds shifted homes from their foundations. In some cases, second stories were thrown clear off. Trees were uprooted, windows blown out, and vehicles flipped.
Mere hours later, as many shocked residents walked the debris-filled streets, the community came together to begin the cleanup.
More than 100 people were displaced as dozens of homes were deemed unsafe.
Within 24 hours Premier Doug Ford toured the neighbourhood, offering the province's support if needed.
"We're going to pull out all the stops, whatever it takes, we're going to get people supported any way we can," the premier said.
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman credited the fast work of emergency responders and the strength of the city's residents.
"The character of a community is defined by its response to its most difficult days, and this is one of them," he said.
HOW TO HELP
The city had to pause physical donations as a school gymnasium filled with mass amounts of donations, from deodorant to diapers and food.
The Salvation Army stepped in to manage all the contributions from the community.
Monetary donations marked tornado relief can be made at the Salvation Army's 16 Bayfield Street Barrie location or on its website.
Online financial donations can also be made to the News or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
Additionally, the City of Barrie created a Tornado Recovery page on its website that will be updated regularly with information and links.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Health data collected from Indigenous Peoples in Canada has a dark history. One Indigenous company is turning that around
Software company Mustimuhw Information, which develops medical records systems built on a foundation of Indigenous traditions and values, is allowing health providers to capture data informed by cultural practices.
Hezbollah handed out pagers hours before blasts, even after checks: Reuters
Lebanon's Hezbollah was still handing its members new Gold Apollo branded pagers hours before thousands blew up this week, two security sources said, indicating the group was confident the devices were safe despite an ongoing sweep of electronic kit to identify threats.
Cognitive decline reduced by MIND diet, especially for women and Black people, study finds
Following the MIND diet for 10 years produced a small but significant decrease in the risk of developing thinking, concentration and memory problems, a new study found.
'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
Ontario man to pay $1,500 surcharge after insurer says his SUV is at higher risk of theft
An Ontario man says it is 'unfair' to pay a $1,500 insurance surcharge because his four-year-old SUV is at a higher risk of being stolen.
Federal firearm buyback program has cost $67M, still not collecting guns after 4 years
The federal firearm buyback program has cost taxpayers nearly $67.2 million since it was announced in 2020, but it still hasn't collected a single gun.
No, these viral purple apples don't exist in Saskatchewan
If something looks too good to be true, it might be. That's the message from Saskatchewan horticulturists after customers have come into their stores hoping to buy purple apple trees this month.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including machine-guns
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including more than 120 handguns and at least five fully automatic weapons like machine-guns.
Influencer couple denies leaving kids alone on cruise
For most people, dinner on a cruise ship is a time to relax. But when influencer couple Abby and Matt Howard decided to kick back with a dinner à deux, they ended up kicking up a storm.