» After The Storm: Ottawa comes together for September’s Tornado victims

On September 21 around 4:00 in the afternoon. I was headed home from work, travelling along the Queensway in Ottawa on what seemed like a normal Friday, except for the fact that cooler morning temperatures had given way to sweltering hot humid temperatures and a threat of severe thunderstorms came along with the temperature change. My gut told me that something wasn’t right about this weather combination…

Kalle Mattson performs at TD Place in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

…my gut was right. Shortly after 4 I noticed a developing system on the weather radar just east of Mattawa. It wasn’t the first time weather observers, like myself, have spotted systems like this on the radar but often they disappear as quickly as they appeared. But on that day the cell just continued to strengthen as it followed the usual path eastward along the Ottawa River. At that point it was clear that a strong storm was imminent and we could just hope that it would hit a non-residential area which, in Eastern Ontario, is a stronger likelihood compared to the GTA.

Craig Cardiff performs at TD Place in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

I made it home before news broke of where the storm struck but when the news came my heart sank. Not only was there a tornado touch down, one tornado ravaged the community of Dunrobin before crossing the Ottawa River and causing more indescribable damage on the Quebec site. A second tornado struck a heavily populated neighbourhood in Nepean wiping out powerlines, ripping roofs off of homes and dropping giant trees on homes and vehicles that survived the initial onslaught of the wind. Thousands were left without power, and hundreds more were left without a home to return to. Miraculously no one was killed by the tornadoes, although a 46 year old man was killed by a falling tree near Kingston as a result of the same storm system. 4 other tornadoes would be confirmed in the coming days but the worst of the damage was confined to Dunrobin, Gatineau and parts of Nepean.

Rebecca Noelle performs at TD Place in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

We’re now nearly two months after the storms and the recovery process has been slow, at best. Many families are struggling to even begin their restart. Last night CUPE Local 503, the United Way and the Ottawa Music Community came together to throw a huge party and raise some much needed money for those who still need it most. The event was dubbed After the Storm – A Tornado Relief Benefit Concert and featured performances by the Jim Cuddy Band and a dozen other performers including Craig Cardiff, Jeremy Fisher, Rebecca Noelle, Kira Isabella with the River Town Saints, Jim Bryson, Sarah Harmer, Matt Mays and penty more.

Kellylee Evans performs at TD Place in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

The performances were short but you could feel the heart and passion in the room. With each artist more people packed into TD Place and by the time Jim Cuddy took to the stage the venue was near capacity. The donations were generous and plenty and by the end of the evening it was announced that in just a few short hours over $50,000 had been raised with donations still being accepted through Monday at www.giveafterthestorm.ca.

The Jim Cuddy Band performs at TD Place in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

I encourage you to visit our socials as you will find video clips of each performance as well as the full grand finale performance that would make the JUNO Awards green with envy. Jim Cuddy invited all of the evening’s performers out onto the stage for one final number, “The Weight” by The Band. To be able to be a part in helping promote this event was beyond humbling, to be standing mere feet from such an awesome performance with my 10 year old son, and his friend, was a moment I know I won’t forget for years to come.