Tornadoes in Ontario: Essential Safety Measures for Before, During, and After Storms
With changing weather patterns and a shifting tornado corridor, Ontario has become one of the most tornado-prone regions in the country. Understanding the risks and being prepared can help you keep your family safe. From creating a 72-hour emergency kit to securing a reliable backup power source, here’s what you need to know about tornado safety in Ontario.
Understanding Tornado Risks in Ontario
A combination of relatively flat land and climatic conditions puts Ontario, especially southern Ontario, at relatively high risk of tornadoes.
If you’re under a tornado watch, it means that weather conditions are favourable for tornado formation. Monitor the weather report and be prepared to act at a moment's notice. A tornado warning means that one has been sighted, and you must act immediately.
Tornado Season in Canada
Tornado season in Canada generally runs from mid-April to mid-September. Although tornadoes can strike at any time of year in Canada, it’s rare to see one in winter.
Peak Activity Months
The peak tornado season in Canada occurs during the hot summer months of June, July, and August, when they damage homes, property, businesses, and often cause outages.
Weather Patterns and Tornado Formation
Tornado formation is strongly influenced by the collision of warm, moist air coming north from the Gulf of Mexico with cooler, drier air travelling south from the Arctic. This collision of vastly different air masses creates instability in the atmosphere. When combined with wind shear, the changes in wind speed and direction with height can cause severe thunderstorms to develop, which increases tornado formation.
Taking Proactive Measures for Tornado Preparedness
You seldom get more than 10 minutes between a warning and when tornadoes strike, so the key to keeping your family safe is to prepare in advance and act immediately.
Creating a 72-Hour Emergency Kit
Every home should have an emergency kit filled with first aid supplies, non-perishable food, water, and medications for each family member, including pets, to last for 72 hours.
Establishing an Emergency Plan
Create an emergency plan with your family, including where to seek shelter if at home, work, or school and who your emergency contacts are. Also, create a plan for communicating with family members, including a backup meeting place in case your home must be evacuated.
Reinforcing Your Home’s Safety
You can reduce hazards around your home by trimming unsafe trees, securing outdoor furnishings, and reinforcing windows, doors, and garage doors to help prevent storm damage. You should also learn how to prevent storm damage to solar panels and other outdoor equipment. It’s also wise to take additional steps to protect panels from hailstorms, which are common with severe thunderstorms.
Backup Power Source
Having a backup power source is essential for tornado preparedness. Solar generators like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W) are the best choice for home backup. Unlike gas generators, you can bring them indoors without the risk of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Then, you can run your essential appliances like your refrigerator, freezer, medical equipment, lights, and communication devices.
Practice Your Plan
Finally, practice your plan at least once a year with your entire family so everyone knows exactly what to do and where to go. This is also a good time to check your emergency kit and ensure it’s fully stocked.
Responding During a Tornado
As soon as you hear a tornado warning, immediately seek shelter in a cellar, storm shelter, or a small interior room on the lowest floor of your home.
Stay away from all windows, doorways, and outside walls.
Cover your head with your neck or arms.
Helmets, like those used for bicycling, also work well for protecting your head.
After the Tornado: Safety and Recovery
After the storm has passed, you can safely leave your shelter and take the following steps.
Assuming the power is out, turn on your EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra to start powering your essential devices, such as refrigerators, freezers, and medical equipment.
Assess the damage to your home and property and look for anything unsafe, like the smell of gas, downed electrical lines, or signs of fire.
Seek help or evacuate if your home appears unsafe. Otherwise, you should stay put and leave the roads clear for emergency responders.
Restock your emergency kit before putting it away to ensure you’re prepared for the next crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Prevent Damage From a Tornado?
You can help prevent damage by securing doors and windows, installing storm shutters, securing outdoor furniture, strengthening your garage door, and trimming trees near your home.
Where Is the Safest Place in the Basement During a Tornado?
The safest place in a basement is a small interior room like a bathroom, closet, or under a sturdy stairwell. Avoid all windows and stay clear of tall shelves or other heavy objects that could fall on you.
Which Emergency Drill Is Most Useful When Planning for a Tornado?
A crucial emergency drill is locating a safe shelter since you only have minutes between a tornado warning and when one might strike. Practice looking for interior rooms at home, work, and school in basements or the lowest floor of the building, far from all windows, doors, and exterior walls.
Is It Better to Keep Windows Open or Closed During a Tornado?
Never open windows during a tornado, as it can increase the risk of injury and damage. Furthermore, during tornadoes, you should stay as far away from all windows, doors, and exterior walls as possible.
Tornado Preparedness Protects Families, Homes, and Power Supply
Tornado preparedness in Ontario means planning ahead. From stocking a 72-hour kit to reinforcing your home and practicing safety drills, each step strengthens your ability to weather the unexpected. Reliable backup power is especially critical when outages last for days. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W) offers a safe, indoor solution that keeps essentials running when the grid goes down. Stay prepared and stay safe this tornado season.