2022 derecho storm was stronger, deadlier than first recorded: Northern Tornadoes Project

A powerful wind storm that torn it’s way across Ontario and Quebec in May 2022, including here in Waterloo Region, has been found to be stronger and deadlier than previously reported.

New data from the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) at Western University shows the maximum wind speeds of the storm called 2022 Ontario-Quebec derecho recorded at the Region of Waterloo International Airport at the time were 147 km/h. This is higher than the previously recorded high of 131 km/h.

The new data came from raw files from weather stations across the path of the storm, which went across the Windsor-Quebec corridor.

Dr. David Sills, the executive director of NTP said the speed recorded at the regional airport was the highest speed record for the entire storm and is in the top five recorded wind gusts in Ontario’ history.

“It’s pretty rare to get gusts that high, almost 150km/h, especially from a thunderstorm in Ontario,” said Sills. “It is a fairly rare phenomenon to be able to get that high of a wind speed that is measured at a weather station because they are so widely dispersed.”

Here in the region, the storm caused significant damage including in Hespeler, which saw downed trees and power lines. Residents in Hespeler described neighbours vehicles being covered in debris and fallen trees in the streets.

The new data also shows there were four more deaths in Ontario than previously reported. The NTP worked with the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario and investigated local media to collect the data, finding there were 12 original deaths, 11 in Ontario and one in Quebec. The new data brings the total number to 16.

CatIQ, an insurance industry aggregate and partner of the NTP, found the final assessment of insured damage from the derecho to be $1.257 billion, making it the most costly wind-related natural disaster ever recorded in Canadian history.