Canada Day windstorm leaves its mark on Perth County hay fields

A hay field north of Shakespeare near Amulree had been raked into windrows just an hour before the Canada Day windstorm struck. Powerful gusts scattered the dry hay into a neighbouring soybean field before baling could be completed. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Some Perth County farmers are still talking about the powerful windstorm that swept through the area on Canada Day, saying the intense gusts caused damage unlike anything they have seen in years.

Just one hour before the storm struck, a hay field north of Shakespeare near Amulree had been neatly raked into windrows and was ready to be baled.

Then the winds arrived.

Farmers in the area say the sudden blast scattered rows of dry hay across nearby fields and left some crops flattened or damaged. Several residents suggested the storm may have included a small tornado or localized wind burst because of the concentrated damage in some areas.

The storm also caused widespread power outages throughout parts of Perth and Waterloo counties as high winds toppled trees and damaged hydro infrastructure.

Along with the wind came an enormous cloud of dust and soil that reduced visibility to near zero in open areas before heavy rain settled the dust.

Many local residents said they had never experienced a dust storm of that magnitude.

While cleanup from the July 1 storm continues in some locations, farmers are assessing crop damage and hoping favourable weather will allow harvest operations to resume.