'No doubt' EF1 tornado caused damage in Ayr, researcher says, as clean up efforts continue

The tornado that touched down in Ayr on Saturday, causing significant damage to the village, has been classified as an EF1 tornado, a group of researchers who track tornadoes says.

David Sills is the executive director of the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University in London, Ont., and was on the ground assessing damage from the tornado.

"There was no doubt that this was a tornado that caused the damage," Sills told Joe Pavia, guest host of CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition on Monday.

He says the tornado's path was "just a bit" over five kilometres long, the path and the maximum width was 230 meters and the maximum wind speeds were about 165 km/h. That's what puts it in the category of EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which is used to measuretornado wind speeds based on damage.

An EF1 tornado is considered a weak tornado, but Sills says it still managed to create a lot of damage in Ayr. That includes damaging the Home Hardware, overturning empty rail cars and a tractor trailer, and damaging trees.

"When you get into [EF]2, 3, 4 and even 5, the damage gets catastrophic," he said.

Still,Sills said it may be the strongest tornado in the province so far this season.

WATCH|'It was pretty powerful': Ayr residents cleaning up after reported tornado:

'It was pretty powerful': Ayr residents cleaning up after reported tornado

5 days ago

Duration 2:42

An apparent tornado touched down in Ayr, Ont., on Saturday morning following an emergency warning issued by Environment Canada, downing trees and power lines and causing heavy damage to at least one home and business. Resident Kelly Bebenek says several windows and part of the roof of her home were heavily damaged.

Sills says the team from theNorthern Tornadoes Project suspected a tornado had hit Ayr based on the videos and photos that were posted to social media.

"Clearly there was,when you look at the videos, we've got a funnel cloud descending from the storm and then swirling debris at the surface. It was pretty clearly a tornado," he said.

Clean-up efforts continued on Monday. The Township of North Dumfries said on the social media platform X thatGreenfield Roadbetween Trussler Road and Northumberland Street wasclosed Monday as public works crews continueclean up efforts in the area.

Cowan Park remains closed "on an indefinite basis" because it was extensively damaged by the tornado, the township says.

"On Wednesday, staff will reassess what further work will be required on Greenfield Road W. as it relates to the removal of downed trees, tree limbs and debris," the township says on its website.

The North Dumfries Community Complex reopened on Monday and will resume regular hours; however, the dog park, community gardens and beach volleyball courts remain closed.