Tornado on Bark Lake Saturday June 28 2008

My brother Mike was back up at the lake and camping on the island this weekend. This time with a friend of his from work.

The weather was pretty crappy but we still had a good time. Take a look at the video from Saturday afternoon. We were out fishing and noticed quite a bit of lighting in the distance. Sky was really dark for around 4:00 pm. We decided to head in as most other boats had done with the exception of one. As we were tying the boat up I looked back to check out the wave direction, when I spotted what at first looked like heavy steam or mist rising out of the water. Puzzled as to what this was, I said "look at that! what is it" then... I looked up and saw the swirling funnel forming. "HOLY SHIT, It's a Tornado!" We fumbled a bit to secure the boat and started running as it was coming right for us. I shouted "grab the camera's!". We did and went to the north tip of the island to see if it was still coming. That's where the video was taken from and RJ got a few stills as well. The video is terrible due to the panic I had the camera set incorrectly. You'll see what happened next. Unfortunately, I shut off the camera while running...don't know why but I did, I thought I restarted it to capture the whole thing but did not get it. After taking a few pics, we took off running for the other side of the island (this thing was coming right for us and fast!). We got to about the middle of the island and dove to the ground, white knuckling it around the largest rotten trees we could find. In retrospect, probably not a great idea. During this time, I could here only the beating of my heart, it was erily quiet. Then the hissing sound, like a snake about to attack and then the winds wipping through the trees, swaying them back and forth. We were very fortunate only to have lost a couple things in the wind, luckily our tents were, as usual, set back in the trees . Anyway, have a look at the vid but I have to apologise for the harsh language, but as you can imagine...oh you know. We were understandably shaken and stressed out the rest of the night but we stayed for our intended duration and just arrived home a couple hours ago. The funny thing is, I was telling RJ on our drive up there about the tornado that went through Combermere 2 years ago. He said, "Wow, I always wanted to see a tornado, I think I'd like that".

He didn't.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Tornado
• Bark
• Lake

[LilNiceWolf]

Awesome and Very Scary! Very good views of the tornado. You was lucky with the camera despite the panic of death. I have full understanding for the failure of the rest of the capture. I have done the same in exciting situations. Without being specific, what province or part of Canada is this in?

[randyruller]

Bark Lake is just a bit south east of Algonquin Park in Ontario.

[bigboartwin]

Ohhh My god RJ.

I THINK WE ARE GONNA DIE!

Quick get into our love cave on the south side of the island.

I know this is not the best timing but...... Do you want to lay down?

Lets hold each other and spoon.

What do ya mean its my turn? I pitched last night. besides this could be the last time i get to feel your man love. Pleassssssse! spoon me one more time before we die!!!!!!!!!!

[njam101]

Very cool! Glad you are all okay. It appears to be a waterspout and not a tornado unless of course it is over land.

[rocr62]

was up at the island all week. Beautiful camp, amazing lake. Met some dude, former master bombadier, who told me the story of the tornado. Great vid. What happened to the dudes in the boat?

[xXxEscapeTheFatexXxX]

ill be going there tomorrow. lmfao.

[MAROALEX10]

love bark lake i was there for a over night school trip :)

[NoMez35]

Pretty scary! Must be scarier by seeing it with your own eyes.