Midland Tornado Response – Update #2

Midland, ON – Just as people were talking about the earthquake that shook the ground the afternoon of June 23, 2010, the topic soon changed when the sky darkened, the rain came, and an F2 tornado ripped through the Smith’s Camp Trailer Park in Midland. The tornado not only plunged a town into darkness, but it left 100 trailers damaged, and approximately 40 completely destroyed. Miraculously and thankfully, no lives were lost.

At approximately 7:00 PM on June 23, Major Neil Evenden from the Midland Salvation Army, received a call about the tornado, and he then quickly made his way to the campground. Upon seeing the destruction, he immediately put The Salvation Army’s emergency response plan into action. Volunteers were summoned, the Mobile Canteen from nearby Parry Sound was called in, and resources from Toronto were put on stand-by. Jeff Robertson of the Public Relations office was called in to manage the Army’s response to the media.

Within 30 minutes, The Salvation Army set-up a registration area at the community centre to welcome and care for those displaced by the tornado. Food, warmth and compassionate care were provided by members of The Salvation Army congregation. Similarly, at the site of the tornado, a tent was erected to feed and hydrate emergency workers. Hundreds of workers poured in and out of the site over a 24-hour period, and The Salvation Army was there for the duration of the response.

Thanks to many local partners, The Salvation Army was able to provide meals, snacks, water and coffee to all those involved. Once again the topic has changed and the media have left the community, but the clean-up will continue for some time. As individuals move forward with rebuilding their lives, The Salvation Army will continue to care for those displaced or affected through the Midland Family Services office.

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Neil W. Leduke
Director of Communications
The Salvation Army – Ontario Central East Division
1645 Warden Avenue
Toronto ON M1R 5B3
t) 416-321-2654 x125
f) 416-321-6479