

Web Staff, cp24.com





Beware, some videos contain foul language.

There is a state of emergency in the city of Vaughan after a tornado touched down, damaging a number of homes.

Vaughan's fire chief is confirming that luckily, no one suffered serious injuries.

"It's amazing when you do see the destruction and it's amazing that no one, absolutely no one has serious injuries," said Greg Senay, York Region Fire Chief.

At least 120 families are being "permanently evacuated" from their homes.

"By declaring a state of emergency, it allows us to procure equipment faster and quicker," said Vaughan mayor Linda Jackson at news conference late Thursday.

"It allows us to open emergency shelters and access other agencies to provide us with more assistance."

He warns that there are still hydro wires down and gas leaks in the area.

"We're here for the long haul. We're here tolook after you," he said at the news conference.

Part of Vaughan Mills mall was also destroyed due to the storm.

It was one of at least two tornadoes have touched down in Southern Ontario. Another near Owen Sound left one person dead.

Emergency shelters are set up at:

- Father Ermanno Bulfon Community Centre 8141 Martin Grove Road , south of Langstaff Road in Woodbridge

- Maple Community centre, 10190 Keele Street, near Major MacKenzie Drive in Maple

Anyone in Vaughan who requires more information can call 905-832-2281.

Multiple homes were destroyed on Tierra Avenue in the Rutherford Road and Highway 400 area. The roofs were ripped off. Cars in the area were flipped over by wind. A number of families are now homeless.

Up to 30 police cars and ambulances were on scene.

"It looked like an explosion," said Jeff Carnavale who was in the area when the storm hit.

"All you saw was wood and dust everywhere and for the next five to ten minutes, debris is falling from the sky."

"I'm in the window near my house, and I see it looks like the roof picked up like this and flew all over," one woman from the area told CP24 as she motioned with her arms.

"I'm so scared."

Falling trees have knocked down hydro lines in the area.

It also appears one home in Mississauga caught fire because it was hit by lightning.

Environment Canada had warned people to take shelter. The warning included Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham and Newmarket.

Videos and photos submitted to CP24 by viewers show tornadoes touching down in the Vaughan area.

There were multiple power outages reported by Toronto Hydro and Hydro One.

There was flooding at Ontario Place, on Lake Shore Boulevard, and in parts of Whitby and dozens of cancellations at Pearson International Airport.

Residents of the town of Durham, located in Grey County, reported severe tornado damage on Thursday afternoon. At least one person died.

The town's Home Hardware store appears to have been hit and is now missing most of its roof.

"We have also had someone in the Blue Mountain area reporting they've seen a tornado," says Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson. "Most of the activity to this point looks like it's going to stay west and north of (Toronto)."

Deputy Mayor Dan Sullivan, deputy mayor of Durham, reports significant property damage and multiple injuries, saying several trailers were blown over in the town's conservation area. There are also some reports that houses have been completely levelled.

Brenda Ailles was in her trailer in the conservation area that was hit when she heard several loud snapping sounds. She came outside to find downed trees surrounding her trailer.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, currently on a tour of Canada's North, expressed his concern.

"We share our thoughts and prayers with any who have lost lives or have dislocation because of this," Harper said. "Obviously the government of Canada, where appropriate, will work with local and provincial authorities to deal with this situation."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, currently on a tour of Canada's North, expressed his concern.

"We share our thoughts and prayers with any who have lost lives or have dislocation because of this," Harper said. "Obviously the government of Canada, where appropriate, will work with local and provincial authorities to deal with this situation."