Cleanup continues in storm’s aftermath, as researchers confirm downburst

Chatham-Kent residents were continuing their cleanup efforts this weekend in the wake of the recent violent storm, which researchers have since confirmed was a downburst.

The weather system tore through Southwestern Ontario on Thursday overnight into Friday, with Chatham in particular receiving much of the tree and property damage.

Phil Richards and his nephew were helping a relative dispose of brush during a busy Saturday morning at the Chatham leaf and yard depot.

Richards, who called the storm’s power “cyclonic,” said the damage was widespread throughout the city.

“It was quite the wind,” he said. “It blows trees down, everything. … If it wasn’t nailed down, look out.”

Members of Western University’s Northern Tornadoes Project concluded that an EF0 downburst hit the northeast side of Chatham on Thursday.

A downburst consists of powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm and spread out quickly at or near the ground.

“Numerous trees were uprooted and snapped, and had large branches broken,” stated the project’s website.

“A ground survey found scattered damage over a wide path, including light roof damage and numerous trees damaged. Damage assessed as EF0 downburst, with an estimated maximum wind speed of 125 km/h, and a maximum width of 2,500 meters.”

Satellite imagery review is pending, the statement added.

Bob Brewer, who admitted he was relatively fortunate to only have a few branches down, said his family erred on the side of caution as the weather rolled through.

“It was wild,” he said. “Never thought about going to the basement before — we went to the basement.”

Travis Van Middelkoop, who was assisting a neighbour, said despite all the devastation throughout the community, people were doing their best to help each other out.

“It’s nice to see neighbors coming together,” he said.

As of Saturday, a handful of Chatham streets remained without power, although most customers were restored by Friday afternoon.

“All of our crews and partners are still repairing damaged power lines to restore power to remaining customers,” Entegrus stated in a social media post.

“Please inspect your overhead service entrance and have it repaired by electrician, if damaged. We require homeowners to be available at home to reconnect.”

Even those who had their power restored sooner were faced with wet bases and spoiled food in many cases.

Although roads have been reopened, municipal officials have said there is much cleanup ahead.

Residents are encouraged to take their small brush to the depot, however, because of the storm, they will temporarily be permitted to bring their large tree limbs out to the municipal right of way, where public works crews will pick up the debris over the next several weeks.