Sarnia, Ontario Tornado of 1953

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A tornado struck Sarnia, Ontario, Canada on May 21, 1953. One of the many violent tornadoes during the exceedingly active and deadly 1953 season, the tornado touched down shortly before 4:30pm near Smiths Creek, Michigan (10 miles southwest of Port Huron). It moved steadily towards the east-northeast where it devastated the southern edge of Port Huron (F3/F4 damage). Two people were killed in Port Huron and about 20 more were injured. Close to 400 homes were damaged or destroyed in the United States.

The tornado then crossed the St. Clair River into Canada, where it intensified and grew in size to 900 metres (approximately 0.5mi, 0.9km) in width. There was "great destruction"^[1] to homes at Sarnia, Ontario where losses totalled $15 million. Four people were killed in Sarnia, 40 were injured, and 500 were left homeless. It then damaged more structures in Nairn before lifting in the Stratford area, although it is possible that this was a family of tornadoes rather than just one.

[edit] References

1. Grazulis, Thomas P. 1990. Significant Tornadoes, 1880-1989. Environmental Films, St. Johnsbury, VT. Page 366.