The sun rose on a new day in Barrie Friday.
The south east end of the city is a little less chaotic this morning, but debris remains strewn around the neighbourhood and first responders are still out in force less than 24 hours after an EF-2 tornado tore through the Prince William Way and Mapleview Drive area.
The destruction is tremendous, but fortunately, there were just a few serious injuries and no fatalities reported.
St Gabriel the Archangel School has been transformed into an evacuation centre and a donation area out front is bursting with bottled water, food and even coffee for anyone in need. Officials say they can't accept any more donations.
Morning update from Prince William Way after yesterday's tornado. pic.twitter.com/ezdAhLu4IG
— Jeff Lehman (@Mayor_Jeff) July 16, 2021
Dave Latisky is one of the many volunteers who is on hand, accepting donations and getting them to the people in the affected area.
Latisky told BarrieToday he and the others are not affiliated with any organization, but just want to help.
"We're just a bunch of people who saw that others were in need and decided to do something about it," he said.
Latisky lives in the north end of the city and was not hit by the storm.
"Some really need water and a bite to eat while they clean up, others just want a coffee and someone to talk to," said Latisky. "That's what we're here for, whatever they need and whatever we can do."
Brad Clarke will not be able to live in his damaged home on Succession Crescent for a while. Succession Crescent is east of Prince William Way; the majority of the damaged homes are on Sun King Crescent, Majesty Boulevard and Monarchy Street.
"There were two teenagers here at the time with the dog. They heard a big crash and bang, the house shook and they ran to the basement, " said Clarke. "No injuries thank goodness, but as you can see, some damage."
Clarke said he and his wife are trying to find a place to live as the family scrambles to determine their next steps.
"I don't know, I don't know what we'll do. Something, we'll figure something out," said Clarke. "I'm just glad they got the power to work last night or we would have lost all the food, too."
Rob Hilton, the owner of A.G. Secure Property Management, says his company has 25 units in the affected area. He said eight of the company's homes suffered damage.
"All of them we have been in communication with and are safe," said Hilton. "If there were any that can’t live in the unit their tenants' insurance would kick in for property loss and immediate shelter. We have none that hit this category."
Hilton said if they don’t have tenants' insurance then "sadly, the loss is their loss and is a critical reason to have tenants' insurance."
He said the landlord's insurance covers the structure only - not the tenants' belongings or rehousing of the tenants.
