A powerful tornado struck the city of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, on the afternoon of May 21, 1953. It made at least 150 homes on the more suburban outskirts of the city were damaged and in some instances reduced to rubble. Financial losses in Canada totaled $15 million; five people were killed, 48 were injured, and 500 were left homeless.
Take a look at these incredible photos from John Rochon to see what Sarnia, Ontario looked like just after the tornado in 1953.
Christina St. looking south from Lochiel St.
Clean-up work on the Vendome Hotel
East side of Christina St. looking south to Cromwell St.
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. just south of Bank of Commerce
East side of Front St. looking south to Cromwell St.
Euphemia St. looking north from Lochiel St.
Houses after tornado
Lochiel St. looking east from Christina St.
Lochiel St. near Brock St.
Looking east down George St. from Brock St.
Looking north down Euphemia St. to George St.
Looking north on College Avenue from George St.
Looking west down George St. from Euphemia St.
Looking west down Lochiel St. from Brock after Tornado
Macklin’s Greenhouses
Macklin’s Greenhouses
Man walking on street after tornado
Manley’s after the Tornado of 1953
Manley’s after the Tornado of 1953
Maria St. just west of Mitton St.
Modern Dry Cleaning on Cromwell St.
North side of Lochiel St. at Brock St.
North side of Lochiel St. east of Brock
Northeast corner of Christina and Cromwell Sts.
Northwest corner of Brock and Lochiel Sts.
Northwest corner of Christina and Cromwell Sts.
People gathering together after tornado
Purity Dairy building
Rear of buildings on Front St.
Rear of Front St. buildings
Rear of Taylor’s Furniture store
Rear of the Colonial Hotel
Rear of the Taylor’s Furniture building at Christina and Cromwell Sts.
Reitman’s on Christina St.
Remains of the Imperial Theatre
Remains of the original Imperial Theatre
Sarnia after Tornado
Sarnia City Hall after tornado 1953
Southeast corner of Lochiel and Christina St., Sarnia, ON
Stewart’s Funeral Home, Sarnia, ON
Street scenes of Sarnia after tornado
Street scenes of Sarnia after tornado
Tornado damage on Mitton St.
West side of Front St. looking south
Vehicle crush by debris in the Tornado
Vendome Hotel after Tornado
West side of Front St. looking south to Ferry Dock Hill
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