By Angie Sullivan
Revelers, boaters and families ran for cover on Canada Day as a violent storm tore through Georgina, disrupting celebrations, knocking out power and cancelling the Town’s fireworks display.
Gary Direnfeld lives in Willow Beach and posted on Facebook, “It was one of the most extreme versions that I have seen in my seventy summers here. It wreaked havoc and destruction and caused death.”
A 38-year-old paddleboarder was reported in distress off the shore of Innisfil when severe storms, strong winds, and heavy rain rolled through the area. After an extensive search, his body was recovered around 8 p.m. by the South Simcoe Police Service Marine Unit, along with the York Regional Police Marine Unit and the York Regional Police Helicopter. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wind gusts and rain forced the cancellation of Canada Day celebrations at the ROC in Keswick, leaving dozens of vendors with damaged booths and ending festivities before the annual fireworks display.
Erin Blackstock, lead singer of the band Blackstock, was scheduled to perform at the event and posted on Facebook shortly before 6 p.m. “Just as we are about to hit the stage, an instant temperature drop and then the microburst vortex came in and everything got taken down. Vendors, tents, beer tent fence, inflatable misting machine, even parts of the stage were starting to come off!!!”
“Weather was being monitored by event staff as we do for all outdoor events,” said Anne Winstanley, Communications Supervisor for the Town of Georgina. “The storm on Canada Day developed quickly and event staff acted accordingly.”
Although no tornado watch was in effect for Georgina, the severe thunderstorm produced intense wind gusts that caused widespread damage across the community.
Dave Jerome from Udora was celebrating with his family in their pool and said, “Around four o’clock, the storm blew through so fast that there was no time to prepare. It was unexpected and crazy.”
The sudden storm also left emergency crews responding to numerous calls involving fallen trees, downed power lines and debris. Many residents were left without power.
A Hydro One spokesperson said crews were still assessing the full impact of the damage and could not provide the number of customers affected. The Hydro One outage map continued to show many homes without power across Georgina.
A new date for the fireworks display will be announced on the Town’s website and social media channels once confirmed.
