Latest news with #EssexCounty
CTV News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Environment Canada explains timing of Essex tornado alert, as experts weigh in
A storm prompted a tornado warning on June 5 at 12:32 a.m., which many residents say came after the worst of the weather had passed. Following concerns from Essex residents about the timing of a tornado warning earlier this month, Environment Canada is explaining the science behind how and when such alerts are issued. It comes as the Town of Essex formally moves forward with a request for answers, approving a motion this week to ask Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to clarify how its alerts are triggered and whether southern Essex County has adequate radar coverage. The June 5 storm prompted a tornado warning at 12:32 a.m., which many residents say came after the worst of the weather had passed. According to ECCC, that alert followed a severe thunderstorm warning issued at 12:03 a.m., when the storm was over Harrow and tracking northeast. 'Tornado Warnings are issued by ECCC when there is evidence that a tornado has developed or may form imminently,' said spokesperson Hannah Boonstra in a statement to CTV News. She said meteorologists 'always strive to provide the best lead-time possible with all warnings and use all available observation data to inform their decisions.' Boonstra explained that Essex County is primarily covered by radar in Exeter, Ontario, with additional data used from neighbouring U.S. radar systems to help forecasters monitor developing storms. 'ECCC is continually enhancing its weather services,' she added, 'taking full advantage of the latest technology to upgrade the tools used to predict and relay information about the weather to Canadians.' Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy says the storm and the delayed alert have reinforced the need for timely communication in the region. 'We know Windsor-Essex County; we're surrounded by water. We're surrounded by the Great Lakes, the river,' said Bondy. 'We know that there's storms here that can be quite volatile, and we need accurate information.' She says she's hopeful the town's outreach will lead to more than just a written response. 'Maybe there's a relationship where in Essex we offer some municipal property for them to use to put more infrastructure,' said Bondy. 'One of the hardest things' to forecast CTV News also spoke with David Sills, director of Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project, who said tornado warnings are notoriously difficult to issue with precision. 'Tornadoes are very difficult to warn for,' he said. 'Every second counts when it comes to tornado warnings.' Sills said his team evaluates the performance of Environment Canada's warnings each year, and while they've improved slightly, there's still room to grow. 'They've been improving the last few times we've done the report card,' he said. 'But, you know, there's a lot of work left to do.' He noted that the target lead time for a tornado warning is only about ten minutes — making fast, accurate alerts a constant challenge for forecasters. 'It's really one of the hardest things as a forecaster, dealing with tornadoes and tornado warnings,' he said. Tornado risk remains high in Ontario In 2024, Ontario led the country in tornado activity, with 60 tornadoes confirmed across the province, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project. Among them was Canada's first tornado of the year — an EF0 landspout that touched down in Malden Centre, right in Essex County, on March 16, 2024. It tied a record for Ontario's earliest confirmed tornado on record. The rising number of verified tornadoes in recent years is due in part to improved radar coverage and enhanced investigations by the Northern Tornadoes Project, which uses satellite imagery, drone surveys and ground reports to confirm and classify events. While most tornadoes are weak and short-lived, Bondy says they still present serious risk and require timely communication tools. 'We haven't yet heard back [from Environment Canada], but I've heard back from residents that they need to do more,' she said. 'We need to have a good working relationship with Environment Canada so that we can trust and rely.'
CTV News
13 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Severe thunderstorm warning in effect for Windsor
A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Windsor, Leamington and Essex County. The storm, capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to toonie size hail and heavy rain, was located 13 kilometres northwest of LaSalle at 9:06 p.m., moving southeast at 45 km/h. Environment Canada advises taking immediate cover if the storm approaches. Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are expected to produce damaging hail, wind or rain.
CTV News
19 hours ago
- CTV News
Missing 32-year-old woman found dead in Leamington
Essex County OPP say a missing 32-year-old woman has been found dead in Leamington. On June 13, members of the Leamington OPP received a report that Vanessa was missing. On June 17, she was located deceased in the 100 block of Erie Street South. Police say the investigation remains under investigation in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner. Officers are advising there is no threat to public safety.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Windsor-Detroit trade needs enhanced security: Pupatello speaks out
Senator Sandra Pupatello is raising alarm bells when it comes to gaps in Canada's security, specifically concerning the protection of waterways in Essex County and the Windsor-Detroit trade corridor. At Wednesday's Senate Finance Committee meeting, Pupatello was able to make remarks directed at both the Ministry of Public Safety and the Ministry of Defense, both of which are seeking increased spending to enhance security and trade protections. Pupatello told AM800's The Shift with Patty Handysides that she believes the money should be invested in the Windsor-Essex region. 'I'm concerned that we have a much better focus on the epicentre, especially considering the tariffs we're facing because our American friends are insisting that they see an enhanced environment for guns, for drugs, protecting our citizenry, this is the time for an investment right here,' said Pupatello. Pupatello says she feels there's a lack of coordination between agencies through the Windsor-Detroit corridor. 'It is the epicentre of trade for North America. We have 25 per cent of Canada's trade with America going right through Windsor-Detroit, and if you were to understand how many agencies are involved, and yet, there is zero coordination amongst them to guarantee that we have 24/7 coverage, some of the details I think are pretty shocking,' she said. Pupatello is calling for at minimum, enhanced electronic surveillance. 'I see a capital spend coming down the road, where is that going to go? I think this should be the epicentre of those kinds of investments. If we get it right in Windsor-Detroit, the most prominent trade corridor in the continent, we're going to get it right everywhere else,' Pupatello said. She added she is committed to closely monitor the plans that the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Safety will develop, particularly their request of billions in additional funding. — Duston Coffman/AM800 News
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Murder suspect who fled the U.S. after 2022 shooting in Mass. city faces charges after extradition
A Dominican national who fled the U.S. after the fatal shooting of a Lawrence man at a house party in 2022 was arraigned on a murder charge in connection with the man's death on Monday, the Essex County District Attorney's Office announced. Jose Sanchez, 27, pleaded not guilty to killing 38-year-old Luis Mendez in Lawrence District Court, the district attorney's office said in a press release. Mendez was shot to death in the basement of 210 Market St. in Lawrence around 2 a.m. on April 25, 2022. Sanchez was charged with murder in Mendez's death, but fled the country before he could be arrested, the district attorney's office said. In October 2024, he was apprehended in the Dominican Republic, where he remained until his extradition to the U.S. on June 13. Sanchez was held without bail during his arraignment on Monday, the district attorney's office said. Authorities have not specified a motive in the killing, but said previously that they did not think it was a random act of violence. No further information has been released. U.S. Marshals arrest 117 fugitives wanted for violent crimes in 9 Mass. cities Man pointed Airsoft gun at a woman in Duxbury Beach, made threats, police say Funeral arrangements announced for Roxbury man killed in shooting Southwick mother admits to abusing her child, sentenced to 18 months in jail Brookline Kosher grocery store window smashed with 'Free Palestine' brick Read the original article on MassLive.
