Items

• Eloida (1979)
  TPSS with location, time, and damage indicated with sources. See references for details. Direction : 304° (NW-SE), Damage Cost: N/A, likely >$10,000
• Lyndhurst (Lower Beverley Lake) (1979)
  Probable tornado responsible for path of damage beginning along Halladay Bay on Lower Beverley Lake, heading east and hitting a farm on Highway 42, and tracking along the south side of 42 in a NE direction snapping some trees along the way. Direction : 259° (W-E), Damage Cost: N/A likely >$5,000
• London (1979)
  Noted as part of squall line consisting of isolated cells lined N-S. Storm tracked from NE of Chatham to Embro, Oxford County at 37km/h (3hr 40min) and was noted to not have anything distinguishably different from the other cells in the area. Witnesses in SW London saw the storm approaching and noticed debris flying through the air and then a funnel cloud. The F0 tornado tracked through almost 4km of residential area inflicting mostly minor damage. Direction : UTM = 233° (SW-NE), Damage Cost: N/A, likely >$10,000
• Beaconsfield to Waterford (1979)
  The probable satellite tornado of the Woodstock to Waterford tornado. A number of documented witness accounts exist which indicate a second smaller and weaker tornado accompanied the large parent vortex along western periphery of its path. Track Length : Approx. 30km (18.64mi) (estimated), Max Width : 900m (2953ft) source? seems wrong (max 600m?), Direction : 300° (WNW-ESE)
• Stratford to Bright (1979)
  The first of two large, violent tornadoes to touch down in Southern Ontario on the evening of August 7. Some locals refer to this tornado and the Woodstock-Waterford tornado as if they were the same one, confusing the deaths and other statistics into a single event. Witnesses and survivors stated that it was very still, hot, and humid leading up to the evening’s storms. At about quarter after six, 5km SSW of Stratford, a funnel cloud touched down near Flannigan Corners and began to track SE toward the Perth/Oxford county line. It quickly began to take on violent characteristics as it tracked south of Tavistock over mainly open farmland. Over the township of East Zorra-Tavistock the tornado impacted multiple farms, destroying 100+ year-old houses, barns, silos, and other buildings over a 26km2 area. It was approximately 1km wide and at full F4 intensity as it tracked through this region. Witnesses recall having a normal thunderstorm turn very bad and so fast they either sheltered in place or ran to their basements for cover as it was right upon them. Some described it as a very loud roar and nil visibility and sheets of whipped up rain, with some indicating they saw parts of houses lift off or objects being thrown. One man became trapped in his basement as the tornado demolished his house above him. After passing though East Zorra, the tornado then took a more easterly track as it crossed the Thames River north of Innerkip, still doing heavy damage to bush lots and croplands, but began to weaken as it turned ENE toward the small town of Bright. Around 7:00PM, the tornado began to lift off just 2.5km south of Plattsville along the Nith River. It had been on the ground for nearly almost 45 minutes and travelled nearly 30km. Time : 6:18PM to approx. 7:00PM, Direction : 300° (WNW-ESE) *Note: U-shaped track, Shape : N/A, Maxi (likely wedge) tornado at its peak. Noted that a “few pictures of the funnel” exist. (though this may refer to Woodstock tornado); Damge Cost: Estimated at $20M
• Woodstock to Waterford (1979)
  The second and most damaging of two violent tornadoes to touch down in Southern Ontario on the evening of August 7th. As the Stratford to Bright Tornado was lifting off, a new tornado was beginning to form about 6.5km WNW of Woodstock near Golspie. It track ESE through the SW end of Woodstock, causing significant damage to the area. It crossed Highway 401 at the Highway 59 interchange and continued on to Oxford Centre where it levelled most of the hamlet. The tornado continued ESE to New Durham, around where a nearly 2km wide swath of damage was found along with apparent damage from a satellite tornado which probably tracked for a number of kilometres beside the parent vortex. The farming communities of Kelvin and Vanessa also took direct blows from the violent storm and many buildings were left in shambles or destroyed to the ground. Crossing Highway 24, the storm rolled into the town of Waterford and caused serious damage to a number of buildings in the downtown business area. Continuing on a few kilometres past Waterford a number of other rural properties were damaged before the tornado lifted over 50 km from its point of touchdown. Direction : 295° (WNW-ESE), Injuries listed as at least 120 (official number unknown?); Damage Cost: At least $40M
• Clavering to Tolmie (1979)
  TPSS with location, approximate time, and notes. Witnesses heard a roar and observed heavy damage in some locations. Some barns had been destroyed and a silo was collapsed. Somewhat odd direction of travel. The more northerly of tow tornadoes to strike the area late in the morning of the 7th. Seems like strong F1. Time : 11:00AM (TPSS = 10-10:30 EST), Direction : UTM = 053° (NE-SW) *Confirmation sheet indicates opposite direction? Damage cost: N/A, likely >$100,000
• Powassan (1979)
  Only info came from a report filed from Officer “D. Bernachi”, CFFC North Bay. It is attached to EC file and notes the severe weather event but minor damage. Probable tornado embedded in a derecho that swept through the region. Damage Cost: N/A, likely <$5,000
• Uxbridge (1979)
  TPSS with location, time, and damage indicated with references. See listed newspaper for details. Damage Cost: likely >$5,000
• Grand Valley (1979)
  TPSS with location, time, and damage indicated with references. See newspaper listed for details. Damage Cost: N/A, likely <$5,000
• Shallow Lake to Tara (1979)
  TPSS with location, approx. time, and notes. Somewhat odd direction of travel. One of two tornadoes to strike the area in the late morning. 11:00AM (TPSS = approx. 10-10:30 EST),Direction : 025° (NNE-SSW) *Confirmation sheet indicates opposite dir.
• Sandy Island (1979)
  Witness observed over Lake Nipissing NE of Iron Island (North of Sandy Island) Probable tornado as was witnessed over lake and damage indicated. Tornado in Powassan (43km ESE) with powerful storm system. Time listed as 20:00? (likely 8:00)
• Mount St. Patrick to Three Mile Bay (1979)
  TPSS with location, time, and damage referenced from news articles. See newspapers for details. Track Length : N/A, could be 30km (19mi), Direction : N/A, likely ~293° (WNW-ESE)
• Belhaven (1979)
  TPSS with location, date, and damage indicated with references. Damage Cost: N/A, likely >$5,000
• Cooper's Falls (1979)
  TPSS with location, date, and some damage indicated with references. Time listed as afternoon
• Cove Island (1979)
  Lighthouse keeper reported seeing a waterspout as documented in AES file. (not scanned). Also, the lightkeeper on Great Duck Island reported a funnel cloud at about 1:00PM and three funnel clouds were spotted 14mi east of Sault Ste. Marie at 3:43PM from an aircraft. Three tornadoes were reported in Michigan the same day as a line of thunderstorms moved SW-NE across the central Great Lakes. Direction : N/A° Noted: SW-NE
• Brampton (1979)
  Tornado followed almost immediately by heavy deluge of rain. Firefighters at Rutherford Rd. Fire Station No.1 saw debris flying in a counter-clockwise direction. Track Length : N/A (5km?) (No UTM / track map scanned), Direction : 270° (W-E), Damage Cost:N/A, likely >$100,000
• London (1979)
  Noted as part of squall line consisting of isolated cells lined N-S. Storm tracked from NE of Chatham to Embro, Oxford County at 37km/h (3hr 40min) and was noted to not have anything distinguishably different from the other cells in the area. Witnesses in SW London saw the storm approaching and noticed debris flying through the air and then a funnel cloud. The F0 tornado tracked through almost 4km of residential area inflicting mostly minor damage. Direction : UTM = 233° (SW-NE), Damage Cost: N/A, likely >$10,000
• Windy Lake (1979)
  Witnessed by a helicopter pilot. Noted as part of squall line. Direction : 315° (NW-SE); Damage Cost: likely $0
• Lake Ontario (South of Toronto) (1979)
  Eyewitness report from officer in charge of Toronto Island Airport Weather Office: “Funnel seen dipping very briefly to surface of the lake about 7 miles to the south.” Direction : N/A° Noted: W-E
• St. Joseph (1979)
  TPSS with general location, time and damage indicated with references. Track Length : Between 1 and 4mi, Direction : N/A, likely 270° (W-E) or 225° (SW-NE); Damage Cost likely >$10,000
• Leamington (1979)
  A tobacco farmer witnessed the tornado as it was passing south of his property. It was noted to be a huge perfect funnel and was backlit by the town lights and frequent lightning. Damage was found the next morning. Radar indicated storm cloud tops to be around 7km (23,000ft) at the time. An early tornado for the season. Track Length : Between 1 and 4mi (4.9km?), Direction : N/A, likely 270° (W-E) or 225° (SW-NE), Damage Cost:>$50,000
• Elim Park (1978)
  Funnel cloud (later confirmed cold air funnel) was spotted by people at Elim Park. It very briefly touched down causing debris to become airborne, and disturbed a number of travel trailers and tents. Track length approximatly 0.8km, Direction : Approx 225° (SW-NE)
• East Toronto (1978)
  TPSS with location, time, and listed references. See for details.
• Welland (1978)
  At least two witnesses saw nocturnal tornado. The nearby town lights helped them see the funnel. A whistling sound was heard. Minor damage. Track length listed as approximately 8km, Direction : Approx. 180° (S-N)