It has been five days since an EF2 tornado swirled violently into a south-end Barrie neighbourhood, but significant progress continues to be made with the clean-up efforts.
The roads in the area of Prince William Way and Mapleview Drive East are now open and passable, although they remain lined with a multitude of vehicles as crews of various kinds lend their expertise to the tornado-stricken area.
"It's been an incredibly impressive community response from the outset in terms of donations and the clean-up efforts," Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday.
Leon said there have been no confirmed reports of any looting or thefts in the area, adding officers have also been walking through the neighbourhood to eliminate any opportunistic crimes.
"Obviously, we've re-scaled our approach within the area," said Leon, adding a police presence will remain in the tornado zone with patrols. "We're there for them and will be for as long as necessary."
It's still a hive of activity as people do their best to pick up the pieces and fix their homes where possible.
Many homes are boarded up and roofs have been patched where possible, while other houses that sustained heavier damage remain cordoned off.
What has been a chaotic scene at St. Gabriel the Archangel school on Prince William Way has also died down. All that remained outside on Tuesday afternoon were a few trailers offering people assistance as well as some heavy machinery.
Emergency crews responded to the area on Thursday, July 15 around 2:40 p.m., after the tornado touched down in the southeast area of the city.
Some of the hardest-hit areas included Sun King Crescent and Majesty Boulevard, as well as a group of homes farther east along Prince William Way and Succession Crescent.
Coun. Mike McCann, who represents this area of the city, said he was "floored" by the community response, but also understands it's only Day 5 and it will still take some time for the effects of the tornado to sink in.
"We know that these people affected by the tornado need to get their feet back on stable ground," he said.
McCann also praised everyone from city staff to neighbours and volunteers to emergency services and organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army.
"They've not done a good job but a great job," he said. "A great thanks to all that chipped in."
Environment Canada has also issued severe thunderstorm watch this afternoon for the Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale areas.
"Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail," says the report.
Hazards include 110 km/h wind gusts, up to ping-pong ball-sized hail, and a possible tornado.
The watch continues into this evening.
