Local officials report no one was injured and no livestock was lost despite severe damage to buildings during a fierce thunderstorm that involved a tornado touchdown in the area on Sunday night.
Environment Canada has confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down in Teviotdale shortly after 9pm on Aug. 2, tearing the top floor off one home and damaging another.
The tornado caused significant damage in Minto and Wellington North. Several homes and barns were damaged by high winds, as were several cruisers at the North Wellington OPP Detachment at Teviotdale.
“We’re extremely grateful that there were no known injuries,” stated Wellington County Warden George Bridge, mayor of the town of Minto, in a press release issued Aug. 3.
The release also quotes Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox, who estimates damage from the storm was expected to run into millions of dollars.
Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll told the Community News the storm also did significant damage in the township.
“We do have a fair bit here in Mapleton,” said Driscoll in a telephone interview on Aug. 4.
He noted a large shed on the Third Line near Lebanon was “torn off its foundation and thrown against the barn.”
A house in the same area was also damaged and a turkey barn at Maryborough Line 14 and Sideroad 12 was “knocked down.” Though the roof collapsed at the turkey barn owned by Buck Ross (who was unavailable for comment by press time), there was no livestock loss as the barn was empty at the time, said Driscoll.
“There were no injuries and no livestock was harmed (anywhere in Mapleton) from the reports I’m getting back,” said the mayor.
While emergency responders were busy in Minto and Wellington North, Driscoll said Mapleton firefighters were not called to any incidents caused by the storm, noting much of the damage occurred on Mennonite farms and “they don’t call 911, they just start cleaning up.”
Officials say the holiday weekend may have been a blessing, as many residents were away from their homes.
Driscoll indicated this is one of the reasons damage assessments will take longer to complete.
“People may come home and find there has been some damage to their property,” said Driscoll. “We urge anyone affected to call their respective municipal offices as soon as possible.”
Mapleton council called a special meeting at 3pm on Aug. 4, at which Driscoll said council would consider ways to help those affected by the storm. One measure under consideration, he said, was waiving building permit fees for those who need to rebuild.
