The cleanup of Windsor’s industrial area will continue for weeks after an F2 Tornado hit Wednesday evening.
Many industrial buildings and even vehicles were damaged by the 220 kilometre an hour winds, or by flying steel debris or falling trees and hydro poles.
After the storm hit, nearly 7,000 ENWIN residential and business customers were without electricity.
Utility officials say crews have been working around the clock to restore power, but it will take much longer to get electricity back for Kautex and Windsor Disposal Services.
Kautex, which manufactures fuel tanks, sustained heavy damage. Spokesperson Sara Monger tells CTV News they do not know how long restoration efforts will take, and when their 200 employees in Windsor will be back to work.
Windsor Disposal office employees have been working from paper, instead of computers, after Wednesday’s tornado.
Staff also resumed garbage collection in most of Essex County on Friday. Garbage collection also resumed in Tecumseh, but recycling collection in the town had to be postponed until Saturday.
Todd Dupuis, the owner of WorkSmart Safety Solutions, says his awning went through one window and he had tree branches, roofing products and ceiling tiles in his foyer.
Sean Holt of Windsor Truck Maintenance says they found some of their trucks damaged and trailers were flipped over.
WDS bins were found thrown throughout the property yard after Wednesday’s tornado, and one even went through a vehicle.
Jim Parker of Parker Construction admits he has seen a lot in his line of work, restoring damaged homes and businesses. But even he admits he is shocked at the arbitrary damage caused by the tornado, as the strong winds picked up big pieces but left overs nearby untouched.
Parker adds paperwork will keep companies busy for the next few weeks, as they file damage reports with their insurance companies.
Environment Canada says Wednesday’s F2 tornado had peak winds between 200 and 220 km/hr. The maximum width of this tornado was 200 metres and the length of the track was eight kilometres.
