Tornado confirmed in Lachute; Coiteux to issue decree for aid

Environment Canada says a tornado touched down in Lachute Tuesday during intense thunderstorms that caused considerable damage in different parts of the province.

Meteorologist Amelie Bertrand said Wednesday a team dispatched to Lachute confirmed an EF-1 tornado with winds reaching up to 175 km/h struck in the town about 85 kilometres north of Montreal.

Bertrand said an EF-1 tornado can cause wind gusts ranging from 135 to 175 km/h, placing Tuesday’s tornado at the higher end of the scale. Observers saw roofs ripped from homes, siding torn from buildings and trees uprooted.

Lachute officials said in a statement the tornado struck at about 6:15 p.m., affecting about 300 residences and forcing 40 people from their homes. There were no serious injuries.

The tornado was the sixth reported so far this year in Quebec.

“Usually Quebec has about six tornadoes per summer, so it would be right at the mean,” Bertrand said. “It doesn’t mean we won’t get other severe thunderstorms later in August or September, because the season extends from May to September.”

In Quebec City, Martin Coiteux, the minister of public security and minister responsible for Montreal, said he is in close contact with officials in Montreal and Lachute, which were both hammered by the storm.

Coiteux described the situation as “serious” and said he has spoken to Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and the mayor of Lachute, Carl Peloquin, offering all the government support they may need.

Lachute, where 150 homes were damaged in what has been identified as a genuine tornado, will certainly qualify for public assistance. Coiteux said he is about to sign a ministerial decree putting the wheels in motion for aid there.

The Red Cross has arrived in Lachute as well to help citizens.

“This city (Lachute) will be eligible for financial support,” Coiteux said while leaving a meeting of the Quebec cabinet. “We will provide all the help necessary.”

Coiteux said it’s too soon to say how much the total bill will be.

THE CANADIAN PRESS About 150 homes in Lachute were damaged — including this one, which lost its roof — when a tornado struck the town.