With population and development increasing in at-risk areas, tornado and severe wind activity has serious implications for homeowners across Canada. While homeowners cannot predict violent wind activity, they can take steps to protect themselves and minimize damage to their homes.
Protect your home from Severe wind
Canada experiences all types of extreme wind events, from regular flat line winds and microbursts to tornadoes and hurricanes. The following provides info on key areas that may require attention in order to reduce the risk of wind damage to your home.
Increasing High Wind Safety for Canadian Homes:
A Foundational Document for Low-Rise
Residential and Small Buildings
By Dan Sandink, Gregory Kopp, Sarah Stevenson and Natalie Dale
April 2019
Améliorer la résistance des résidences
canadiennes aux vents violents : Document de
base pour les bâtiments résidentiels de faible
hauteur et les petits bâtiments
Par Dan Sandink, Gregory Kopp, Sarah Stevenson et Natalie Dale
Avril 2019
Communicating Hurricane Risk in Eastern Canada:
Enhancing the communication lines between the Canadian
Hurricane Centre, municipalities and insurers
By Paul Kovacs, Sophie Guilbault and Brian Pentz
August 2017
WInd Loads on Houses: A wind tunnel study
L.M. St. Pierre
J.K. Galsworthy
R. McKinnon
F.M. Bartlett
July 17, 2003
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 32
Enhancing Local Level Emergency Management: The Influence of Disaster Experience and the Role of Households and Neighbourhoods
Brenda Murphy (principal investigator), Wilfrid Laurier University
Leanna Falkiner, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
Gordon McBean, Departments of Geography and Political Science, The University of Western Ontario
Holly Doland, Department of Geography, University of Victoria
Paul Kovacs, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
July 2005
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 43
Wind Loads on Houses: Destructive Model Testing of a Residential Gable Roofed House
B. Visscher
G.A. Kopp
P.J. Vickery
March 24, 2004
ICLR Research – Paper 37
A Tornado Scenario for Barrie, Ontario
David A. Etkin (corresponding author)
Adaptation and Impacts Research Group, Environment Canada
Soren E. Brun
North Carolina Dep’t. of Transport GIS Unit
Solomon Chrom
Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University
Pooja Dogra
Institute for Environment Studies, University of Toronto
July 2002
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 20
Numerical Simulations of High Intensity Winds. Downburst Simulations
Horia Hangan
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
July 2002
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 19
Hurricane Hazel and Extreme Rainfall In Southern Ontario [PDF]
Cumming Cockburn Limited
November 2000
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 9
While tornadoes and severe winds can easily destroy homes, most often the result is damage to the home’s roof, exterior walls, and windows. It is important to be aware and educated about your home’s vulnerabilities to the threat of severe winds.
Protect your home from Severe wind
While tornadoes and severe winds can easily destroy homes, most often the result is damage to the home’s roof, exterior walls and windows. It is important to be aware and educated about your home’s vulnerabilities to the threat of severe winds.
Download a PDF of Protect your home from Severe Wind (PDF)
Extreme Wind Research Papers
Increasing High Wind Safety for Canadian Homes:
A Foundational Document for Low-Rise
Residential and Small Buildings
By Dan Sandink, Gregory Kopp, Sarah Stevenson and Natalie Dale
April 2019
Améliorer la résistance des résidences
canadiennes aux vents violents : Document de
base pour les bâtiments résidentiels de faible
hauteur et les petits bâtiments
Par Dan Sandink, Gregory Kopp, Sarah Stevenson et Natalie Dale
Avril 2019
Communicating Hurricane Risk in Eastern Canada:
Enhancing the communication lines between the Canadian
Hurricane Centre, municipalities and insurers
By Paul Kovacs, Sophie Guilbault and Brian Pentz
August 2017
WInd Loads on Houses: A wind tunnel study
L.M. St. Pierre
J.K. Galsworthy
R. McKinnon
F.M. Bartlett
July 17, 2003
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 32
Enhancing Local Level Emergency Management: The Influence of Disaster Experience and the Role of Households and Neighbourhoods
Brenda Murphy (principal investigator), Wilfrid Laurier University
Leanna Falkiner, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
Gordon McBean, Departments of Geography and Political Science, The University of Western Ontario
Holly Doland, Department of Geography, University of Victoria
Paul Kovacs, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
July 2005
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 43
Wind Loads on Houses: Destructive Model Testing of a Residential Gable Roofed House
B. Visscher
G.A. Kopp
P.J. Vickery
March 24, 2004
ICLR Research – Paper 37
A Tornado Scenario for Barrie, Ontario
David A. Etkin (corresponding author)
Adaptation and Impacts Research Group, Environment Canada
Soren E. Brun
North Carolina Dep’t. of Transport GIS Unit
Solomon Chrom
Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University
Pooja Dogra
Institute for Environment Studies, University of Toronto
July 2002
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 20
Numerical Simulations of High Intensity Winds. Downburst Simulations
Horia Hangan
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
July 2002
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 19
Hurricane Hazel and Extreme Rainfall In Southern Ontario [PDF]
Cumming Cockburn Limited
November 2000
ICLR Research Paper Series – No. 9
The IIBHS offers a variety of tools in its Open for Business™ program for small business owners. This program not only reduces potential disaster loses but also assists businesses to reopen quickly should disaster strike.
You may also request a FREE Open…for Business™ package – consisting of a pamphlet, disaster planning folder and guide – by writing to info@iclr.org or calling (416) 364-8677.
Open for Business™ Guide (PDF)
The Open for Business™ Guide contains important steps for business owners to take when reporting losses, assessing damages and returning to business.
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