As the cleanup continues in the Barrhaven suburb in south Ottawa following Thursday's tornado, a team of investigators is on-site to assess the size and strength of the tornado.
Approximately 125 houses were damaged when at least one tornado touched down during a severe storm shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Councillor David Hill stated on Ottawa radio that today there is no longer as much debris and rubble as there was yesterday.
The storm also brought down dozens of trees and branches, toppled fences, and damaged roofs of many houses.
Contractors and city staff are working to clear roads, sidewalks, and properties of debris, while Hydro Ottawa teams are working to repair storm-damaged infrastructure.
"The damage ranges from roofs ripped off houses, shingles and sheets, to broken windows and fallen trees, and several other damages to structures," said Kim Ayotte, Ottawa's General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services, on Thursday.
"At this time, we have crews out clearing roads."
City officials said on Thursday evening that the majority of the damage occurred in three areas of Barrhaven.
50 houses in the Umbra Place/Watercolours Way area
35 houses in the Perseus Way/Proxima Terrace area
30 to 40 houses in the Jockvale Road/Exeter Drive area
Hill says that the 125 houses highlighted by the City of Ottawa have significant damage, which may mean that residents need to find alternate accommodations.
"Beyond that, you have many more with minor superficial damages."
Hill says that staff is making a second visit to the neighborhood to check on residents.
Residents also reported damage in the Barrhaven area, including along VIA rail tracks, near Home Depot on Strandherd Drive, at the Lankin tennis courts, and along a pathway on Bentbrook Crescent.
The city says there are no reports of damage or impacts to city infrastructure in Barrhaven following the tornado.
Public Works staff have already been deployed to begin clearing debris from roads and sidewalks.
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