*Special thank you to photographer Johan Hallberg-Cambpell for these photos
When I was a kid, I would sometimes go on day trips with my family to Goderich, ON - a town of 8,000 located on the shores of Lake Huron, dubbed as “the prettiest town in Canada.” Yesterday, I went there for the first time in years. However, it was for very different reasons.
Last Sunday, a F3 tornado tore through this town and for many residents it’s the worst disaster in recent memory – and not one that they will soon forget.
While in Goderich, I visited a reception centre, located at the Knights of Columbus hall, where those impacted can receive a warm meal or speak with representatives from the various organizations assisting – including the Red Cross – to find out about services available to them.
At the centre, I chatted with some of the people affected and listened to their stories. Two of them were life-long friends Ruth Cunningham and Lillian Mathieson. (They were so close while growing up that Ruth called Lillian’s mom “Mama Number 2.”) They currently live one block from each other in Goderich.
A testament to their friendship, after the tornado swept through, Lillian went outside to assess the damage. Seeing Ruth’s house, she immediately thought of her friend and hoped she was safe and well. Luckily that was the case – Ruth was out of town when it happened.
Some residents have been at the centre since Sunday helping those in need. Steve Winter, the Grand Knight for the hall, was just about to help serve dinner to up to 80 guests at an anniversary party when the tornado hit. They watched in horror from the window as the twister went by and devastated their town, while listening to hail pound on the roof.
Shortly afterwards, the hall was transformed into the reception centre. Steve ended up serving the dinner meant for the anniversary party to those who had to evacuate their homes. Since then, he has been working 12 hour days alongside others – including staff and volunteers from Red Cross – at the centre.
Steve, Ruth and Lillian’s stories reminded me that disasters really can strike anywhere at anytime. So, it’s always best to be ready.
For more info on the Canadian Red Cross response in Goderich, click here.