In May 2022, a devastating tornado struck Uxbridge, Ontario, as part of a rare storm system called a derecho, causing significant damage and loss. Researchers from the Northern Tornadoes Project are studying tornadoes in Canada, discovering the country ranks second in the world for tornadoes. They aim to assess tornado risks and improve building designs to withstand extreme winds. Hurricane straps, which strengthen roof-to-wall connections, are recommended for resilience but not yet mandatory in building codes. Advocates argue for their inclusion to protect homes as climate change brings more extreme weather events.
1. A tornado struck a brewery in Uxbridge, Ontario, during the May long weekend in 2022, destroying the business and causing significant damage to the area.
2. The tornado was part of a rare storm system called a "derecho," which traveled through Ontario into Quebec, killing 12 people and causing over a billion dollars in insured losses.
3. The northern tornadoes project at Western University studied tornadoes in Canada and found that the country ranks second in the world for tornado occurrences.
4. Civil and environmental engineering professors, including Gregory Comp, studied building performance during windstorms, focusing on the roof-wall connection, which is often a weak link in houses.
5. Hurricane straps, small brackets made of galvanized steel, can strengthen the roof-wall connection and minimize damage during aggressive winds, but they are not mandatory in Canadian building codes.
6. Efforts to include hurricane straps in building codes face resistance due to extra costs, and spreading the financial burden among governments, builders, owners, and insurance companies is suggested as a possible solution.
7. Despite challenges, some businesses, like the Canucks Bridge Brewing Company, are rebuilding with improved safety measures, including hurricane straps, to enhance resilience against future tornadoes.