1 horse killed, several injured after 3 tornadoes hit Niagara Region, researchers say

Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) have more details about the three tornadoes that struck Niagara Region on Monday.

The NTP website states the first tornado, which developed near Brookfield, northeast of Port Colborne, Ont., and tracked eastward toward Stevensville damaged trees and structures, including a local barn.

The researchers say it injured several horses, one of which later died because of the tornado.

The tornado hit speeds up to 155 kilometres per hour, according to NTP.

Damage from a tornado
Part of a roof in Fort Erie, Ont., was destroyed. (Submitted by Northern Tornadoes Project)

Another tornado hit Fort Erie with equally fast winds. NTP’s website states the tornado covered almost six kilometres, swirling toward the Peace Bridge.

The third tornado started near Fort Erie Beach and uprooted a tree before heading to Buffalo, where it caused damage downtown.

An uprooted tree.
One of the three tornadoes that hit Niagara Region on Monday uprooted a tree. (Submitted by Northern Tornadoes Project)

There was no warning ahead of the three tornadoes.

Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, previously told CBC Hamilton it’s because the tornadoes were likely landspout tornadoes that are hard to catch on radar.

Environment Canada has said it is working on ways to improve this, including experimenting with new tornado-predicting models and upgrading equipment and training, among other things.

Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop told CBC Hamilton while tornadoes in the area are rare, he feels unpredictable weather events are becoming more common.

“It’s a challenge for us because we have to look at our infrastructure, we have to determine what type of reinforcements might be necessary, how we make it sustainable going forward and what type of shoreline protection we’re going to need,” he said.

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