One Tornado, Maybe Two, Hit Windsor Wednesday

EDITOR’S NOTE: Story updated at 11:45 a.m.-pb

Environment Canada has confirmed one tornado, possibly two, hit the Windsor area Wednesday night. The weather agency says a twister formed quickly over the Detroit River just after 7 p.m. and moved northeast over the town of LaSalle, Ontario. It is not clear whether that tornado or a second one hit Windsor a few minutes later. The storm damaged homes, businesses, and power lines. Mayor Drew Dilkins told reporters on Thursday that public works crews were cleaning up twisted metal and other debris. Dilkins says no one was killed, but three people were taken to hospital with non-critical injuries. He also says EnWin, the city’s power company, had restored most electrical service. Dilkins says Transit Windsor service is running normally despite damage to its central depot. He also asked residents to be patient as city workers try to respond to their calls. He also asked people who want pictures of the damage to follow Windsor news media web sites and social feeds rather than going to see it for themselves. Severe weather is possible in southwestern Ontario and Metro Detroit Thursday. Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Windsor-Essex. The U.S. National Weather Service says a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms exists in Southeast Michigan.

WDET’s Pat Batcheller spoke with CKLW Radio reporter Kristylee Varley about the tornado. Click on the audio player to hear the conversation.