A backhoe started knocking down a tornado-damaged Vaughan home on Monday, its owner standing across the street crying as she watched it work.

Silvana Baldassarra had said Sunday she wanted to see the demolition crews finish what the F2 tornado started on Aug. 20 at 26 Houston Rd.

"I saw it built up, and now I'm going to see it come down," she told CTV Toronto.

The tornado damaged about 600 homes, with 38 suffering severe damage. Baldassarra is one of a handful of those 38 homes that will require a total rebuild.

She had lived in the home for 30 years.

"My heart is beating. I feel kind of upset, you know?" said neighbour Anna Girardo. "They worked their whole life for that."

Angelo Genova won't be watching when his own home starts coming down later in the week.

"I no want to feel sick," he said, adding he didn't want to see Baldassarra's home come down either.

Those who completely lost their homes will have to wait at least a year before they get permanent replacements.

As of Friday, Vaughan had no formal estimate of the dollar value of the tornado damage.

The province is carrying out a damage survey. Vaughan residents affected by the tornado are asked to fill it out, with Wednesday being the deadline.

The surveys will help Ontario decide if victims like the Orrico family are eligible to receive funds from the province's disaster assistance relief program.

"Most of the property (damage is) covered by insurance," said local Coun. Peter Meffe on Sunday. "But for those that are in a very disadvantaged situation or didn't have proper insurance, the city is trying very hard to ensure that the province plays a role in this disaster."

The completed forms should be hand-delivered to the following locations:

  • Vaughan Civic Centre: 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, inquiry counter
  • Father Ermanno Bulfon Community Centre: 8141 Martin Grove Rd., Woodbridge
  • Maple Community Centre, 10190 Keele Street, Maple

The city attempted to hand-deliver the forms to affected businesses, homeowners and tenants, but said people can pick them up from the above locations, download them from the city's website, or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.

"Questions regarding the survey should be directed to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Contact information for the ministry is included at the back of the survey," it said.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Michelle Dube