Canada Storm Update: Deadly Derecho Kills At Least 10 People, Leaves Half a Million Without Electricity

A deadly derecho killed at least 10 people across Canada, increasing the death toll from the weekend's severe storms, according to the latest weather updates.

Most of the people died due to falling trees and power lines caused by high winds from the severe thunderstorms.

The recent storm developments came after violent thunderstorms struck the Canadian capital city of Ottawa and its surrounding National Capital Region in recent days, where large-scale travel disruption and power outages have been reported.

Derecho Sweeps Through Canada

(Photo : Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images)

The magnitude of the recent severe weather in Canada is marked by the natural violent dynamics of the derecho, a wind storm system with a resemblance to the level of a hurricane or a tornado.

It consists of long-lived lines of severe storms known as a thunderstorm complex.

While the greatest threats from a thunderstorm are tornadoes, a derecho can also cause heavy rain and widespread flooding.

In the case of Canada, the tornadic-force winds were the main cause of casualties and damage.

Also Read: Thunderstorms in Ontario Caused Intense Hail Storm, Damaging Crops

Storm Casualties and Damage

Local authorities claimed most of the deaths were a result of people being hit by fallen trees caused by wind gusts of up 82 miles per hour from the storm that lasted for two hours on Saturday afternoon, May 21, according to NBC News, as cited by The Weather Channel.

Initial reports of the severe storms suggested that the system was moving in an eastward pattern across Canada, with an initial death toll of three people in Ottawa, Ontario; Gatineau, Quebec; and Renfrew, Ontario.

In an updated coverage of The Washington Post, at least ten people have been killed by the derecho as of Monday, May 23.

The US media outlet said that the deadly thunderstorm complex tore through the most populous areas of Canada, traversing a route from southern Ontario to southeast Quebec.

The path of destruction affected Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto; three out of the four largest cities in the country.

The Toronto Greater Area (GTA) was also affected by the derecho's destructive force winds.

Power Outages

Emergency crews are still working to restore power to half a million Canadians as of Sunday, May 24 after the rare derecho struck Ottawa and Quebec.

The storm system left downed utility poles and power lines hanging low on roads, as well as multiple uprooted trees.

Canadian officials initially reported more than 350,000 customers were left without electricity during the severe weather, according to Fox Weather.

Infrastructural damage also affected bus and train services in urban areas, particularly in Ottawa.

Even before the nationwide power outage estimation, the Hydro Ottawa electricity distribution company assessed that 170,000 customers were affected by the power outage in the capital city alone.

Canada is also vulnerable to storm systems such as the recent derecho thunderstorm complex and Atlantic hurricanes.

While the Canadian landscape is relatively colder than the Contiguous United States since the former is situated further into the Northern Hemisphere, both North American countries are still simultaneously affected by some weather disturbances, especially cold fronts or cold air between their borders.