‘Our guys are coming’: Windsor tornado cleanup expected to take at least two more weeks

Crews continue cleanup efforts in east Windsor and the Riverside neighbourhood on Sept. 22, 2026, following a tornado that damaged the area on Sept. 3. Downed trees and branches remain in some areas as the city works through the remaining debris. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Cleanup from a tornado that damaged parts of east Windsor earlier this month is expected to continue for at least another two weeks, according to the city.

City Forester Yemi Adeyeye says crews have been working around the clock since the Sept. 3 storm, which ripped trees from the ground and damaged homes and other property in parts of Riverside, East Windsor, and Forest Glade.

“It’s been very busy,” Adeyeye said.

“We’ve had all our crews and staff and contractors working around the clock. So many of them have not had a weekend.”

The city initially deployed about six internal crews, along with 16 crews from three contractors, Adeyeye said.

He said crews have since had to rotate workers to ensure they are getting adequate rest and that safety requirements are being met.

“We had everyone in on it at the beginning and then as time goes on, also we have to start relieving people that have been working around the clock for weeks, to make sure that we are meeting safety regulations,” he said.

Adeyeye said a first sweep of the affected area has been completed, with crews continuing to work street by street.

“If people drive by Jefferson and the quadrants, between Jefferson, South National to the north, Tecumseh to the south and then Pierre … a lot of the street-by-street clearance has been completed,” he said.

The city has logged about 2,000 calls to 311 related to the cleanup, Adeyeye said, adding there are likely more locations that still require attention.

Mayor Drew Dilkens said on Monday that crews are expected to reach much of the remaining tree debris within another two weeks.

“We expect it’s still going to be at least two more weeks before we get to a lot of the tree material that’s in the parks and still on the sides of streets,” Dilkens said.

Dilkens noted crews are working through the affected areas based on priority.

“Don’t worry. We’re coming,” he stated.

“They’re just dealing in a sequential order of most … highest priority to the stuff that can wait.”

Residents in the affected neighbourhoods have had mixed reactions to the pace of the cleanup.

Dennis, who lives on Buckingham Road a few blocks from where a roof was ripped off during the tornado, said he understands why some streets may have taken longer to reach.

“A couple streets over got it worse than our street here,” he said.

“So, I’d imagine they’d be twice taking so long to get down here because they got to clear up the streets over there where more damage got done.”

He said he believes crews are addressing the most important locations first.

“I think they’re trying to get to the important streets first. More priority,” Dennis said.

Irene Belanger, who regularly walks in the area around Esdras and Raymond, said debris affected her usual walking route for weeks.

“There are a lot of branches, and this is usually part of my walking route,” Belanger said.

“And it took a couple weeks before I could even start doing it again before the sidewalks were cleared.”

Belanger said she feels more cleanup is needed.

“I feel bad for the people in the area,” she said.

“It’s been quite a while since anything has moved off the streets. And I think it’s probably time to gather them up and clean up the area.”

“I think the city needs to probably move a little quicker on getting this cleaned up,” she added.

Gayle Triolet, who was walking her dog on Riverside Drive East, said she believes the city is prioritizing the work appropriately.

“I think they’re on it, but they can only do what they can do,” Triolet said.

“And like I said, it’s a priority comes first, right.”

Adeyeye said crews continue to chip and clear trees throughout the affected area and urged residents to be patient.

“Our guys are coming,” he said.

“Please be patient. It’s an extensive work.”

He said residents may see crews working in nearby areas even if their own street has not yet been cleared.

“If they move some streets over, they will probably realize that we have contractors working, approaching already,” Adeyeye said.

The city says all available resources remain focused on the cleanup, with crews continuing to work through the remaining debris.

“It’s just been very busy,” Adeyeye said.

“And we’ve had people working around the clock.”

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