Ontario Tornadoes: Live Updates, Warnings, and Essential Safety Tips
Ontario’s tornado season is becoming increasingly intense, stretching from early spring into late fall. With an average of 13 tornadoes annually and 2024 recording more than triple that, it’s clear Ontarians must stay alert and prepared.
Tornadoes can form quickly, leaving only minutes to react, so understanding warning signs, having a safety plan, and being equipped with reliable backup power are essential. This guide walks you through when tornadoes are likely to occur, how to stay informed, and what steps to take before, during, and after a storm to stay safe.
When Is Tornado Season in Ontario?
Tornado season in Ontario lasts from April to September, peaking in the summer months between June and August. However, tornado season in 2024 started in late winter in early March. It lasted until November, so tornadoes can occur almost any time of the year, except December to February, when the weather is too cold.
When is Tornado Season in Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario has been experiencing an increasing frequency of tornadoes compared to historical records, and they appear to be shifting in peak frequency to include September. This is believed to be a result of the warming of the Great Lakes, adding more heat and moisture to the atmosphere, perfect for storm formation.
How To Stay Updated on Ontario Tornado Warnings
Check for alerts and weather updates on Environment Canada.
Listen to your local commercial radio or local television news.
Check for alerts on X (Twitter) @OntarioWarnings.
Sign up for your community’s emergency alert system and find out if it has a tornado siren and what it sounds like.
Check for emergency alerts through Alert Ready.
Install a weather app on your phone.
Use your EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank to stay updated when the power goes out. It’s about the size of your phone, so it will easily fit in your pocket.
How To Prepare for a Tornado in Ontario
Here are some critical steps to be prepared for emergencies and keep your family safe.
Identify Safe Rooms or Tornado Shelters
First, identify the nearest safe room or storm shelter. The Ontario government recommends using a basement or storm cellar if you have one. You can also purchase tornado-safe rooms or have one built in your home. However, you typically have only 10 minutes after a warning is issued. So, you must also locate your nearest safe room or shelter to your work, school, and other areas where you spend a lot of time since you should never attempt to drive to a shelter.
Stay Alert and Watch For Warning Signs
Since tornadoes strike with little warning, stay alert and watch the skies for danger signs. If you see the following signs, don’t wait for a warning; seek shelter immediately:
Dark skies even in daytime, often with a greenish hue
A loud roaring sound like a freight train
Dark, low, rotating clouds
A funnel-shaped cloud protruding below the cloud layer
Approaching debris clouds
Create an Emergency Kit
Every home should have an emergency kit for severe weather and other emergencies. Keep it in a waterproof bin in your safe room, storm shelter, or near the door if you need to evacuate. Your kit should include the following:
4 litres of water per day per person for 3 days
Non-perishable food to last 3 days
Food and water for your pets for 3 days
Complete first aid kit
Any necessary prescription drugs
Dust masks
Soap, toilet paper, hand sanitizer
Emergency whistle
Rechargeable LED flashlights
Can opener, eating utensils
Multi-tool and duct tape
Lighter or matches in a waterproof container
Fire extinguisher
A portable power station like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus to keep your flashlights and devices charged.
For winter blackout preparedness, ensure you have warm clothes and blankets for every family member.
Create a Family Communication Plan
One of the most important things to prepare is your family emergency communication plan. Each year, practice a tornado drill with your household, ensuring everyone knows who to contact, how to contact them, what to do if a family member is not home, and arrange a backup meeting place in case your house is unsafe. They should also know where to go, whether at home, work, school, shopping, etc. Finally, also go over the location and contents of the emergency kit and what to do with it, including some basic first aid. This is also the perfect time to refresh your water, food, and medical supplies and recharge your flashlights.
Buy an Emergency Power Supply
Tornadoes often take down power lines and other infrastructure, so having an emergency power supply is critical to keep essential appliances like your refrigerator, computers, or medical equipment running. For instance, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 has a 4000W output and can power 120V and 240V appliances. It’s also expandable with extra batteries so that it can be used to power your entire home during any emergency, rolling blackout, or other outage event.
Solar generators are best for power outages since they use no fossil fuels and will not cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which kills 300 people every year in Canada. The EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators come in various capacities to suit everyone’s needs. The best part is that they come with solar panels, so you can quickly recharge your power station during an extended blackout. If you already have rooftop solar panels, take steps to prevent storm damage, including inspecting all the components to ensure they are securely mounted and sealed. If you use portable solar panels, wait until the storm has passed before setting them up.
What To Do When a Tornado Hits Ontario
When you hear a warning or see signs of an approaching tornado, immediately head to your nearest safe room or storm shelter.
Stay indoors. Never get in your car and drive.
If you are in a high-rise or other building without a safe room or shelter, head to the lowest floor and find the most interior location, putting as many interior walls between you and the outside as possible.
Stay away from all doors, windows, and glass.
If you can, climb into an interior closet or under a sturdy desk or table.
If you’re outdoors or in your car, head to the nearest sturdy building and get inside. If none are nearby, find the lowest point in the landscape, like a ravine or ditch, and climb into it.
Get down low and cover your head and neck with your arms.
Stay tuned to emergency alerts for essential updates. If your batteries are dead, use your EcoFlow Portable Power Station to stay connected.
If you are trapped by debris, do not yell for help to avoid inhaling too much dust. Instead, use an emergency whistle or bang on pipes to make a lot of noise.
Never leave your shelter unless you have a critical medical emergency. There may be road and other hazards, and you need to keep the streets clear for emergency responders. If you must leave for a medical emergency, ensure you have all your essentials in your car to keep you safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tornadoes Common in Ontario?
Tornadoes are becoming more frequent and severe in Ontario. While the province used to average around 13 tornadoes per year, 2024 saw a dramatic spike, with 50 occurring over land and another 10 over water. This makes Ontario the most tornado-prone province in Canada.
Is Ontario in Danger of Tornadoes?
Yes, Ontario is in danger of tornadoes. On average, it has experienced more tornadoes in the past several years than the previous hotspot for tornadoes in Canada: the prairie provinces. As the Great Lakes have warmed, southern Ontario has become increasingly vulnerable to severe weather events.
Final Thoughts
Ontario’s tornado season is no longer limited to summer months, and storms are getting stronger, especially in southern Ontario, as the Great Lakes warm up. Preparation is key to staying safe, from recognizing early warning signs to building an emergency kit and creating a family safety plan. Outages are common during tornadoes, so having an emergency energy solution is critical to staying connected and informed. The EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators offer safe, indoor-friendly backup power to keep your home running during extended outages. Don’t wait until the next warning sounds; take steps today to protect your household and stay connected no matter the weather.