Protecting Your Trees
The storm of May 21 st , 2022 was described by meteorologists as a derecho (pronounced deh - REY - cho), a long - lived, fast - moving thunderstorm that causes widespread wind damage . A derecho often has tornado - like or even hurricane - force winds and may produce tornadoes. This derecho which generated extraordinary straight - line wind damage, was one of the most impactful thunderstorms in Canadian history, winds up to 190 km/h as well as several tornadoes caused widespread and extensive damage along a path that extended for 1,000 kilometres from Michigan through Ontario and Quebec and then to Maine. Reported in an article in Business Insurance by Aon PLC, it could have one of the costliest insured severed convective storm event on record for Canada ’ s Insurance Industry based on preliminary estimates. There were power outages to nearly 1 million households and 11 deaths in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec were reported. Maximum wind speeds reaching 190 km/h in south Ottawa were caused by downburst. Large electrical transmission towers were toppled; power poles were knocked down province - wide. Damage to homes and other structures, vehicles and agricultural operations were impacted by the storm. A survey team from Western University ’ s The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) confirmed on May 27 th , 2022 that two tornadoes struck London, during that weekend ’ s destructive derecho -- bringing the total to three so far -- as thousands remain without power a week later. The first two tornadoes were short - lived EF - 1 touched down in the Huron Heights neighbourhood in the northeast end of the city around 11:36 a.m. It had an estimated maximum wind speed of 160 km/h and travelled a path of 5.7 kilometres with a width of 450 metres. The tornado tore off part of an apartment building roof, flipped a plane and damaged airport hanger doors, and uprooted and snapped numerous healthy trees. The second EF1 tornado occurred a few minutes later touching down in the Wilton Grove area in south London at 11:39 a.m. It had an estimated maximum wind speed of 185 km/h and went for 3.4 kilometres with a width of 400 metres. Damage left by this twister included the partial wall collapse and roof removal of a warehouse, snapped and uprooted trees, and damage to a large hydro pole. Investigators determined the tornado lost strength almost immediately after hitting the warehouse as there was a lack of damage in the vicinity of the structure. The third tornado EF2 that caused significant damage was in Uxbridge, Ontario about 55 km northeast of Toronto. Hydro companies reported the storm did more damage to electrical distribution grids. Power outages also affected many of our communities. The City of London reported that the extent of the damage was city - wide; but some neighbourhoods experienced more intense tree damage and loss. Londoners shared pictures and videos of the damage on social media. Many factors were at play, but the essential element was wind, said Michael Petryk, a certified arborist and director of operations at Tree Canada, an Ottawa - based non - profit dedicated to improving the country ’ s tree canopy. “ Trees are made to flex and to move so they can take a certain amount of wind, ” said Petryk. “ But when you get sustained, gusty winds like we did Saturday, trees just don ’ t have a chance to absorb and dissipate that energy. ” He said the storm left behind hurricane - style damage: tree trunks snapped in half, others split down the middle and still others uprooted.
Trish Kaplan, CCI (Hon’s) is the current part-time Administrator for the chapter; having served in the position from April 2003 to September 2010. She received the CCI Distinguished Service Award from CCI National in November 2006. Trish served as a director on the chapter board from 2010-2015 and was subsequently returned to the position of Administrator. Trish is a condominium owner, served as a director of the corporation she resides in for a time and is a retired condominium manager. Her experience in the different areas of condominium continues to be a benefit to the chapter and its members.
CCI Review 2022/2023 — 1
August 2022 - 29
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