Teams are still working to clear the debris left by the severe thunderstorms that hit the Golden Horseshoe on Wednesday night.
As of Thursday afternoon, Hydro One reported that over 21,000 customers were still without power, with Dundas being one of the most affected areas.
Residents in Ancaster and Hamilton, who are also experiencing power outages, told CHCH News that they were advised to be patient as both the city and Hydro One are swamped with calls.
On Norfolk Street in Hamilton, locals are continuing their efforts after a tree fell onto their roof.
“This one was the worst one, for this market, I have seen in probably 25 years,” said Chris Deathe, the district manager of the Davey Tree Expert Co. Hamilton office.
The skies on Wednesday evening were filled with thick dark clouds accompanied by lightning and significant damage to trees and nearby properties.
: Severe thunderstorm warnings issued in much of Golden Horseshoe
A red-level warning from Environment Canada alerted residents that severe thunderstorms were approaching.
“We’ve moved about 18 of our crews onto storm damage,” said Deathe. “It seems to be primarily in the Hamilton Mountain, Dundas and Ancaster area.”
Deathe mentioned they are prioritizing tree damage involving houses, cars, and powerlines first.
He noted that most of the downed trees he’s observing are hollow and unhealthy with several issues.
“Healthy trees know how to handle a wind like this and they will absorb the winds,” said Deathe.
WATCH MORE: High winds, storm rips through Hamilton causing widespread damage
The City of Hamilton reported that forestry crews have received over 200 calls regarding storm-related tree damage.
Jun Cao, a local landlord, spoke with CHCH News stating that city workers would arrive Thursday afternoon to remove a tree that had fallen on his property.
A building inspector from the City of Hamilton was on Norfolk Street South meeting with Cao to evaluate the situation.
Cao confirmed there was no internal damage to his home; only the roof and front porch were affected by the fallen tree.
“This morning at 9 o’clock I contacted forestry, mentioning the tree falling on the property and make damage,” said Cao. “They say that their team is working in the neighbourhood to remove tree damage.”
“This tree here had basically fallen from this area and covered the road,” said Ben Sincennes, an Ancaster resident referring to an area near his home.
: Widespread power outages remain after damaging storms slam southern Ontario
Sincennes just recently moved into his new home in Ancaster a few weeks ago.
After witnessing storm destruction outside his house he spent two hours clearing debris from the road so vehicles could pass through safely.
The power remained out as of Thursday afternoon; Sincennes shared Hydro One’s update indicating restoration might happen Thursday night or Friday morning.
“The emergency alerts were good,” said Sincennes. “I know those are kind of a newer thing but we got plenty of emergency alerts warning us about high winds coming.”
Deathe mentioned there were staff members deployed from Hamilton to Edmonton addressing storm-related damages there.
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