It was 40 years ago today that a massive F4 tornado swept through the Friendly City and other pockets of Oxford County, killing two people and injuring 142 others.
Video was done by former journalist Carla Garrett and was posted to Youtube in 2014.
OXFORD COUNTY - Today marks the 40th Anniversary of the Woodstock Tornado.
At least three twisters touched down in Oxford County on a dark evening of August 7th, 1979 .
The southern end of Woodstock suffered some of the most intense destruction along with several other nearby towns in Oxford County also getting hit.
Hundreds of homes and business were significantly damaged from the kilometre wide tornado, leaving over a thousand people homeless and an additional 350 homes uninhabitable.
Local resident Sylvia Kiers' family home in Oxford Centre was damaged in the Tornado, forcing the family to find temporary housing.
"We lived in a small trailer while they fixed the inside of our house. There were broken windows, and flooding, etc. All of our neighbours banded together to support each other. We were so thankful for everyone involved to assist in the rebuild. I still have a quilt that was donated by the church ladies from different churches."
The newly elected Woodstock Mayor at the time, Wendy Calder declared Woodstock a disaster area, and turned to the province for financial assistance. In 1979 the damages were estimated at $100 million dollars, in 2011 the damages were adjusted to $305 million dollars.
Kiers says the psychological damage outlasted the physical.
"Even months after, if a storm was coming, my mom would be downstairs in the basement on the couch with her purse, it left an imprint on so many with memories of a devastating storm, but also of communities who banded together to help those in need."
As a result of the F4 Tornado, two people died, 142 were injured.
You can also see a video done by the CBC online here.
Federal Liberals Table Budget
TDMH Celebrates a Year of the RAFT
News Poll: Poppy Campaign Underway
SWPH Confirms Case of Influenza A
Public Input Needed for Woodstock Transit
Oxford OPP Briefs - Nov. 3rd, 2025
Interview with the Mayor - November 3rd, 2025
PJHL Recap - Oct 31st to Nov 2nd
Nominations Open for Runway of Stars
Ultimate Burger Battle Begins!
Dodgers Beat Blue Jays in World Series
Impaired Driver Caught in Tillsonburg
Norfolk OPP Investigating Break-and-Enter
PJHL Preview - Oct. 31st to Nov. 2nd
BBBS Volunteers Honoured in London
Poppy Campaign Begins Today
Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday
Local Police Offer Halloween Safety Tips
UPDATE: Missing Teen Located
Men's Health Talk Coming to Woodstock
Comments
Add a comment