Tornadoes hit Ottawa area

Homes and apartment buildings too severely damaged by Friday’s tornados in the Ottawa area continue to be demolished.

City crews and contractors were working in the devastated neighbourhood of Mont Bleu in Gatineau Wednesday. Some families were allowed into their units to salvage what personal items they could.

It’s estimated about 50 homes there will have to be razed, including an apartment building complex that was bulldozed Tuesday. It was home to about 600 people, some of whom are being housed in hotels.

The tornados ripped off roofs and walls, tossed vehicles upside down, blew out windows and left home furnishings soaked in water and mud.

It’s believed 30 homes will have to be demolished in Dunrobin, a town to the west of Ottawa, and 55 are deemed unsafe in Nepean and Ottawa South, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson shared with city council Wednesday. It was the first meeting since Friday’s ferocious weather.

Watson wants to waive demolition and building permit fees for victims of the storm, which could save homeowners between $500 and $2,000.

The city will prioritize permits for tornado-ravaged properties, asking all others to be patient. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/demolition-continues-on-homes-in-tornado-ravaged-areas-of-ottawa-1.4110381

Ottawa Hydro reported mid-day Wednesday that all power had been restored.

Volunteers continued to make their way through Dunrobin's demolished neighbourhoods to lay tarps on damaged homes to protect against rain this week.