‘Like a clear-cut forestry operation’: Cleanup begins at downburst-hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
The devastation caused by a downburst that hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park in northeastern Ontario on June 21 has left many people speechless. Cameron Hockey, the manager of the Algonquin Zone of Ontario Parks, described the scene as resembling a clear-cut forestry operation, with trees knocked over like bowling pins.
The storm destroyed at least 100 trailers and vehicles in the park, causing significant damage. Colin Murphy, a camper from Eganville, Ont., suffered serious injuries when a tree sliced through his family’s trailer, shattering his femur in four places. Another camper nearly lost her arm when it was trapped under a tree for hours, but emergency workers were able to free her, saving her arm.
The destruction in the park is so extensive that it is impossible to determine when it will be able to reopen. A drone image taken by researchers from the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University shows thousands of trees flattened in the Jingwakoki Campground.
Bill Steer, general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre located in the park, pointed out several cabins with destroyed roofs from fallen trees. The centre would have hosted over 100 students for summer camps a week later, but now faces closure for at least three months for repairs. As a non-profit organization, the centre relies on operations and will face financial challenges ahead.
Workers from Ontario Parks have been clearing fallen trees from roads and paths in the park throughout the week. It is anticipated that a major forestry operation will be needed to remove trees from cabins before a full assessment can be done for reopening the park.
The aftermath of the downburst at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the resilience required to overcome such devastation. The community’s collaborative efforts to clean up and rebuild will be crucial in restoring the park to its former glory.
