Storm Survey Report of Nogies Creek
July 28, 1998

A cold front swept down into South Central and Eastern Ontario on Tuesday evening July 28, 1998. Radar showed a line of scattered thunderstorms along the front at 290230z (10:30 PM July 28,1998) from central Lake Huron to Petawawa. The Severe Weather Desk issued a Special Weather Statement at 290255z (10:50 PM July 28, 1998) for eastern Ontario after receiving public reports of wind gusts of 60 to 80 km/h and some tree and power line damage from Orillia and Wasaga Beach.

A severe thunderstorm along the cold front hit the Nogies Creek area just before 290400z (midnight Tuesday, July 28 EDT). Nogies Creek is located approximately 7km northeast of Bobcaygeon. The storm lasted 10 to 20 minutes. It caused two deaths in the Nogies Creek Resort trailer park and extensive wind damage in the surrounding area. There were also reports of a possible tornado by the public and media.

At 290340z King City radar indicated strong rear flank down drafts of 110 km/h and a possible meso cyclone near Bobcaygeon.

Ron Lee and Chris Marshall conducted the storm survey on Wednesday, July 29, 1998 from 1 to 4 PM. Harvey Township Fire Chief Mr.Wayne Parker provided valuable assistance on site.

The storm cut a west to east (280 degrees to 100 degrees) damage track approximately 250 meters wide and about 1 kilometer long. The damage track was just north of Hwy. 36 with the Nogies Creek Resort trailer park situated at the mid point. Evidence on scene showed massive straight line wind damage and spots of minor damage indicative of F0 tornado touchdowns.

Numerous trees were toppled (not pulled out or sucked out as reported by some broadcast media) and lined up along the storm track. These were shallow rooted trees 2 to 3 ft. in diameter and up to 40 ft. in height. The damage was consistent with straight line wind damage with a wind speed estimated at the 110 to 130 km/h range.

Nearly all the damage was the result of straight line downdrafts. One of the toppled trees fell and crushed the sleeping section of a trailer and killed a couple inside. Other trailers and cottages in the area also suffered extensive roof and structural damages caused by the fallen trees.

In addition, there were also areas of minor damage caused by multiple vortices. These areas were approximately 10 feet across and 30 feet apart, dispersed in a spiraling pattern along the mean path of the storm. Damage included a roof lifted off a small wooden cabin, bent and twisted TV antennae, missing roof shingles and broken small tress 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The damage observed was characteristic of tornadoes in the F0 category.

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