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DEVASTATING TORNADO
August 7, 1979, a day that for some Oxford County residents will never forget. That quiet Tuesday evening was in minutes labeled as one of the worst storm disasters in Ontario. Between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm, two vicious tornadoes ripped through the area. Within 60 minutes, there was total devastation. Two people where killed and thousands were left battered and without shelter. An estimated $100 million worth of property was damaged. The first tornado cut through a devastating path 33-mile long and a quarter-mile wide path from Woodstock to areas south of Jarvis and the second tornado sliced a 20-mile long west-east path through Bright and Hickson. Family farms, over 100 years old, were wiped out in seconds. Power lines littered the streets. Cars were tossed in the air like toys. Trees were broken like matchsticks. Roofs were peeled off of homes and bricks littered the sky like confetti. In Oxford Centre, a tiny community of 250, were virtually wiped off the map. The twisters eventually dispersed over Lake Erie. Outside aid started to stream in within hours of the storm. People started to open their homes to stricken residents left homeless. In Bright, a 30 man brigade of area Hutterites left their regular chores and descended on several farms to clear debris, mend fences, build temporary shelter for farm animals left wondering, repair damaged residences and help move those homeless into temporary residences. Hundreds of Mennonites came from all across Ontario and the United States to lend a hand. Many surrounding cities offered men and equipment. Out-of-town work crews came and helped repair damaged power and water lines to get them up and running again. Building suppliers and inspectors arrived from across Ontario to assist. Donations from municipalities poured in from all over to help rebuild. Less than a week after the disaster, industries reopened and residents continued recovering. It was apparent that people and communities across the province had opened their hearts to lend a hand.
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