The sound of chainsaws and woodchippers filled the air as residents in Sandycove Acres adult lifestyle village in Innisfil cleaned up the damage left behind after a severe storm, high winds, and a possible tornado touched down along the northern edge of the community on Thursday afternoon.
Along Riverview Circle, nearly every home had a stump on the front lawn where a mature tree once stood.
At No. 26, Sandra Nugent and Charles Belanger watched as Davey Tree Service removed what was left of a 60 ft. blue spruce.
The top, which had snapped off in the high winds, was blown into the backyard; but the tree trunk leaned drunkenly on the front porch and the roof of the home.
Nugent and Belanger were at home, sitting in the living room, when the winds hit.
“We watched it come down,” Nugent said. “We had no place to go.”
The modular homes in Sandycove have no basements.
They couldn't tell if the roof had been damaged – until the tree crew, using chainsaws and ropes, pulled the trunk away from their home. Then it was clear that at least one tree limb had punched through the roof, causing extensive damage.
“It’s okay,” said Nugent, noting that no-one was hurt. “Everybody’s good.”
Incredibly, there were no injuries, despite the damage and numerous large trees that came down on Riverview, and on Sunset Drive and surrounding streets.
Around the corner, two toppled trees lay in the space between two homes. Another foot and “it would have hit our bedroom,” said one homeowner. “We got lucky.”
Heavy equipment was used to remove sections of snapped and twisted trees on Sunset Drive, where there was evidence of more than just straight-line winds.
The upwards pull on metal awnings, a roof completely torn off one home, the twisted and snapped tree trunks suggested that a tornado may have touched down briefly.
As the cleanup continued, residents came out to survey the damage – and praise Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities, operator of Sandycove Acres, for their quick action and concern.
The manager brought food and refreshments to residents impacted by the storm, said Sandra Nugent. “They put us up, and checked on us hourly,” she said – and rolled up their sleeves to help with the clean up, “like everyone else.”
Mayor Lynn Dollin stopped by to review the damage, early on Friday afternoon.
“After seeing some of the destruction, I’m filled with relief that no-one was injured,” Mayor Dollin said. “I’m so proud of how South Simcoe Police and Innisfil Fire worked in conjunction with Parkridge to go door to door and look after people. Also, a big thank-you to Innpower for working tirelessly to get the power back so quickly.”
Some streets continued to be temporarily closed, as crews worked to remove toppled trees.
