Ottawa Tornado Catches Residents Off-Guard & Causes Extensive Damage (VIDEOS)

Ottawa was caught completely off-guard by a tornado on Sunday.

An EF-1 tornado hit Ottawa unexpectedly last night, catching both residents and weather experts by surprise. The storm, which touched down at around 5:55 PM about 10 kilometres southeast of the Gatineau airport, came suddenly and without warning for many residents. Environment Canada issued a warning about the Ottawa tornado after the storm had already begun.

In a report by the Ottawa Citizen, Robert Kuhn, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, attempted to explain the reasoning for the delayed warning. Kuhn claimed that there was nothing in Sunday’s weather data that indicated a tornado was about to hit.  “It wasn’t a classic environment,” he said. Kuhn went on to explain that the weather on Sunday was neither too hot or too cold and that the wind was “nothing to write home about.” 

By the time the warnings did go out, the tornado had already made its way across the Ottawa River. The twister was seen travelling along Highway 175 in east Ottawa, catching residents completely off-guard. Many residents called out officials for failing to warn them about the tornado:

 

@environmentca why did the WeatherCan app, when set for Ottawa Gatineau weather, not display tonight’s tornado warning?

— Howard Yeung (@howardhyeung) June 3, 2019

Everyone I spoke to in Chatelaine Village (and I) didn’t get an alert until 10 minutes after the tornado hit... and even then it was for Gatineau

— 🇨🇦 Jrodge (@jrodge9) June 3, 2019

I was on the highway and full on saw a tornado and then got home and received a tornado warning lmao oh #Ottawa

— kara (@karariiana) June 2, 2019

More viewer video of what may have been a tornado touching down in East Ottawa pic.twitter.com/aXyQz0T4ci

— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) June 2, 2019

Better shot from the vantage point of my next door neighbors during yesterdays tornado. #ottawa #ottstorm #ottnews pic.twitter.com/cycCjHbxNY

— Paul Macnamara (@TheRealpmac) June 3, 2019

CRAZY! A tornado yesterday near Cumberland, Ontario.
Just east of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.

Submitted/Permission By: Bill Keating@WeatherBug - Download the weather app today!
Free weather alerts and more... pic.twitter.com/r0kI4MEOJ0

— Live Storm Chasers (@Livestormchaser) June 3, 2019

Thankfully, despite the lack of warnings, there were no serious injuries or deaths reported as a result of the storm. According to CBC, trees were ripped out of the ground and homes were walloped by the surprising weather in Ottawa’s Orléans neighbourhood. Local paramedics claimed that they responded to a call regarding a branch that had fallen onto a resident’s head, but the injuries sustained by the victim had been minor.

 

This is Greg Laidlaw... and this is his neighbours shed after a storm ripped through Orléans earlier this evening. #ottawa #ottawanews #storm pic.twitter.com/VPLJocM6DQ

— Olivia Chandler (@LivChandler) June 2, 2019

ICYMI | A tornado touched down in Gatineau and east #Ottawa yesterday, ripping off roofs and branches but only causing one minor injury: https://t.co/08BfhAyYVX #OttNews

(Photos from The Canadian Press) pic.twitter.com/fUl7SEOa1u

— CBC Ottawa (@CBCOttawa) June 3, 2019

Tornado damages homes, vehicles in east-end #Orléans https://t.co/Leyn72JiBH #orleans #ottawa #ottnews @1310NEWS @ottawamatters pic.twitter.com/txFstDvCkJ

— Jason White (check!) (@1310JasonWhite) June 3, 2019

Another tornado in Ottawa. Our phone lines are open if you have damage and need help from your Rhodes & Williams Insurance Broker: Tornadoes strike in east end of Ottawa area | Ottawa Citizen https://t.co/PDvypCgIRN pic.twitter.com/pa6rf5LZ0q

— Rhodes & Williams (@ottawainsurance) June 3, 2019

Ottawa’s Highway 174 and J'eanne D'Arc Boulevard were shut down as a result of the storm. Both roadways are now open.

Trim Rd and 174 in Orleans #onstorm pic.twitter.com/5wGsXG91rK

— Ken Macdonald (@mscmacdonald) June 2, 2019

Tornado in Orleans ?!?! @ctvottawa @CBCOttawa @OttawaCitizen pic.twitter.com/E29f1l2WIJ

— rachel🖤 (@rachwallbridge) June 2, 2019

pic.twitter.com/MQ97fgORuw

— Dave D Garand (@DaveInOrleans) June 2, 2019

Footage of tornado in Cumberland. My sister took from her window. You see it touch town in river. #ottawa #tornado #onweather pic.twitter.com/04EvA5MT67

— Christine Trudeau (@ott4ever) June 2, 2019
 

Ottawa city officials also received reports of power outages and first responders performed door-to-door checks in the areas affected. Officials are telling people with downed trees to call 311.

*Cover photo used for illustrative purposes only.