UPDATE: Freak Storm Smashes Tree 200m Away From Front Door!

• One man seriously injured in Ottawa stage collapse – Need to know – Macleans.ca.

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o in the aftermath of Sunday night’s freak storm, it appears there was 1 man seriously injured after all, unfortunately.  Even so, many eye witnesses have commented it’s a miracle there weren’t more casualties.  An investigation by the Ontario Ministry of Labour continues; but I’m not sure there’s much one can do to avoid this type of event.  A temporary stage can’t be blamed for what Environment Canada has characterized as a "downburst" — a kind of reverse tornado.

Will monitor for news on investigation in weeks ahead a report findings here.  As always, stay tuned!

Freak Storm Smashes Tree 200m Away From Front Door!

Smartphone video shot shortly after a freak storm caused damage to Ottawa; this video was taken just outside and around my apartment where a tree in a neighbour’s front yard was splintered by heavy winds! Below, the position of the felled tree is projected on a map of the neighborhood.

Bluesfest site location (above, courtesy Google Earth); where the main stage hosting the "big name" artists was severely damaged by winds exceeding 90 km/h, according to Environment Canada (Source: CBC News)

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uite a night, here in Ottawa — and here I am again writing another blog article about what can only be described as “unusual” weather (for this city anyway). Earlier this evening I was at my usual spot, seated in front of my computer coding away when a loud “crack” could be heard outside. Unsure at first where the noise came from, smartphone cam in-hand, I walked around outside a very short distance and found myself confronted with a felled, 50+ year-old elm strewn across the road.

As is evident from the relative calm depicted in the attached video (above/right), the storm wasn’t a very lengthy event….reports elsewhere indicate that while incidents of damage were spread over a wide area, there were intense winds and lightning for only about 15 minutes. Long enough, however, to cause the main stage at Bluesfest (an annual summer music festival hosted in the city’s downtown) to be blown apart; and to cause numerous other instances of felled trees, 1 fire and numerous power outages in the suburbs.

No injuries associated with the storm have been reported as yet.

In the ensuing hours immediately following, there are reports of another system heading for the city. Additional coverage to follow as events warrant.