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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

The Tornado of 1953 in Sarnia, Ontario was a devastating natural disaster that occurred on June 8, 1953. It was one of the deadliest tornadoes in Canadian history, killing seven people and injuring hundreds of others. The tornado struck the city of Sarnia, located in southwestern Ontario, in the late afternoon and caused widespread destruction.

The tornado formed over Lake Huron and rapidly intensified as it moved inland, producing wind speeds of up to 250 km/h. It caused significant damage to the city, with entire neighborhoods being completely leveled. Homes, businesses, schools, and other structures were all destroyed, and trees were uprooted or snapped in half.

The tornado caused widespread power outages, and communications were disrupted. Emergency services were quickly overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, and it took many hours for help to arrive from other cities. Many residents were trapped in the rubble of their homes, and rescue teams worked tirelessly to search for survivors.

The aftermath of the tornado was devastating for the residents of Sarnia. Many people were left homeless, and the city’s infrastructure was severely damaged. The local economy was also affected, as many businesses were destroyed or disrupted by the tornado.

In the days and weeks following the tornado, relief efforts were organized to help the affected families. Aid came in the form of food, shelter, and other necessities, and many volunteers from surrounding communities came to help with the clean-up. The government also provided financial assistance to help with the rebuilding process.

#1 Christina St. looking south from Lochiel St.

Christina St. looking south from Lochiel St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#2 Clean-up work on the Vendome Hotel

Clean-up work on the Vendome Hotel

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#3 East side of Christina St. looking south to Cromwell St.

East side of Christina St. looking south to Cromwell St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#4 East side of Front St. between Lochiel and Cromwell Sts. showing tornado damage to the Barr building and the Mackenzie-Milne building

East side of Front St. between Lochiel and Cromwell Sts. showing tornado damage to the Barr building and the Mackenzie-Milne building

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#5 East side of Front St. just south of Bank of Commerce

East side of Front St. just south of Bank of Commerce

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#6 East side of Front St. looking south to Cromwell St.

East side of Front St. looking south to Cromwell St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#7 Euphemia St. looking north from Lochiel St.

Euphemia St. looking north from Lochiel St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#8 Houses after tornado

Houses after tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#9 Lochiel St. looking east from Christina St.

Lochiel St. looking east from Christina St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#10 Lochiel St. near Brock St.

Lochiel St. near Brock St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#11 Looking east down George St. from Brock St.

Looking east down George St. from Brock St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#12 Looking north down Euphemia St. to George St.

Looking north down Euphemia St. to George St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#13 Looking north on College Avenue from George St.

Looking north on College Avenue from George St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#14 Looking west down George St. from Euphemia St.

Looking west down George St. from Euphemia St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#15 Looking west down Lochiel St. from Brock after Tornado

Looking west down Lochiel St. from Brock after Tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#16 Macklin’s Greenhouses

Macklin's Greenhouses

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#17 Macklin’s Greenhouses

Macklin's Greenhouses

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#18 Man walking on street after tornado

Man walking on street after tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#19 Manley’s after the Tornado of 1953

Manley's after the Tornado of 1953

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#20 Manley’s after the Tornado of 1953

Manley's after the Tornado of 1953

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#21 Maria St. just west of Mitton St.

Maria St. just west of Mitton St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#22 Modern Dry Cleaning on Cromwell St.

Modern Dry Cleaning on Cromwell St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#23 North side of Lochiel St. at Brock St.

North side of Lochiel St. at Brock St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#24 North side of Lochiel St. east of Brock

North side of Lochiel St. east of Brock

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#25 Northeast corner of Christina and Cromwell Sts.

Northeast corner of Christina and Cromwell Sts.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#26 Northwest corner of Brock and Lochiel Sts.

Northwest corner of Brock and Lochiel Sts.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#27 Northwest corner of Christina and Cromwell Sts.

Northwest corner of Christina and Cromwell Sts.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#28 People gathering together after tornado

People gathering together after tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#29 Purity Dairy building

Purity Dairy building

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#30 Rear of buildings on Front St.

Rear of buildings on Front St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#31 Rear of Front St. buildings

Rear of Front St. buildings

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#32 Rear of Taylor’s Furniture store

Rear of Taylor's Furniture store

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#33 Rear of the Colonial Hotel

Rear of the Colonial Hotel

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#34 Rear of the Taylor’s Furniture building at Christina and Cromwell Sts.

Rear of the Taylor's Furniture building at Christina and Cromwell Sts.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#35 Reitman’s on Christina St.

Reitman's on Christina St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#36 Remains of the Imperial Theatre

Remains of the Imperial Theatre

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#37 Remains of the original Imperial Theatre

Remains of the original Imperial Theatre

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#38 Sarnia after Tornado

Sarnia after Tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#39 Sarnia City Hall after tornado 1953

Sarnia City Hall after tornado 1953

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#40 Southeast corner of Lochiel and Christina St., Sarnia, ON

Southeast corner of Lochiel and Christina St., Sarnia, ON

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#41 Stewart’s Funeral Home, Sarnia, ON

Stewart's Funeral Home, Sarnia, ON

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#42 Street scenes of Sarnia after tornado

Street scenes of Sarnia after tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#43 Street scenes of Sarnia after tornado

Street scenes of Sarnia after tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#44 Tornado damage on Mitton St.

Tornado damage on Mitton St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#45 West side of Front St. looking south

West side of Front St. looking south

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#46 Vehicle crush by debris in the Tornado

Vehicle crush by debris in the Tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#47 Vendome Hotel after Tornado

Vendome Hotel after Tornado

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#48 West side of Front St. looking south to Ferry Dock Hill

West side of Front St. looking south to Ferry Dock Hill

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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#49 West side of Front St.

West side of Front St.

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The Devastation of Sarnia: A Look Back at the 1953 Tornado

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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