Algonquin Adventures / Residents trapped after suspected tornado touches down up north

**Posted by Barbara** 6/22/2025 1:08 pm

https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/residents-trapped-after-suspected-tornado-touches-down-up-north-10846553

Several residents along Highway 630 remain trapped this morning after a severe storm last night washed out a large section of the highway.

Secondary Highway 630 is a local highway in the District of Nipissing, which connects the former sawmill community of Kiosk located southwest of Mattawa to Highway 17.

Due to a severe storm and an unconfirmed tornado touchdown, the Municipality of Calvin has declared a State of Emergency.

"All roads in the municipality are closed due to washouts, downed power lines and trees," says Julie Daniel, Community Emergency Management Coordinator.

"Highway 17 is closed from Corbeil to Mattawa. Please remain in your homes while emergency services clean up the roads. We can not stress this enough, you need to stay in your homes. There are limited emergency services available to help until evacuations are complete. Public works have been working since last night and are aware of all of the road issues."

People are continuing to be evacuated by bus and other transportation from Samuel de Champlain Park.
Cell and landline service is non-existent in some locations throughout the area. The Red Cross is at the arena to receive the evacuees. Evacuees will be able to call out once they are situated.

"Please be patient," says Daniel.

"Calvin, Mattawa and North Bay Fire departments have been on scene at Samuel De Champlain since last night. Bonfield, East Ferris and West Nipissing have recently joined. OPP, EMS, and Park services have also been on scene. The Town of Mattawa’s Emergency Control Group has also been working closely with us. We would like to thank everyone who has been assisting us in this difficult situation."

CAO Donna Maitland said an emergency meeting is scheduled for noon and that more information would be available following the meeting.

**Posted by Bampot** 6/22/2025 3:39 pm

Wow - I was supposed to start a trip with my son out of Kiosk on Friday, and just received this email this morning:

Dear Camper,
Due to a severe storm that occurred in Algonquin Park and the surrounding area on June 22, 2025, the road leading into Kiosk Campground is washed out at several sections and the campground and access point is currently inaccessible. It is unclear at this time how long the road will remain closed for. Due to the road washout and inaccessible campground and access point, we are offering no-fee cancellations and free changes to your camping trip.
Please be advised that at this time due to multiple power outages in the park, our phone line is not working. You will still be eligible to receive a no-fee cancellation or change to another campground when our phones are operational again. To change your reservation to another campsite in a different campground, or to process a full refund if you choose to cancel your reservation, please call 613-637-2780 ext. 229 during business hours of 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Please email us if you haven’t been able to get in touch with us via phone and we will contact you when our phone lines are operational again.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Algonquin Provincial Park| Ontario Parks
Box 219, Whitney, Ontario, K0J 2M0
P: 613-637-2780 W: www.ontarioparks.com/park/algonquin

**Posted by MartinG** 6/22/2025 5:58 pm

I heard access 27, 28 and 29 are closed. 1 is accessible but no backcountry permits being issued. Mark Rubino's group was evacuated from Kiosk today. He spoke to a helicopter pilot who said the Brent Road and Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park were devastated. 100's of trailers wrecked at SDC and 90% of the trees down.

Last edited by MartinG (6/22/2025 6:00 pm)

**Posted by Lukatch** 6/24/2025 6:33 pm

Has anyone seen any reports or pictures or news of any kind on any damage along the hwy 60 corridor or the campgrounds there?

**Posted by Jdbonney** 6/24/2025 10:05 pm

Two rivers campground had a lot of damage and trees knocked over.

The south arm islands of opeongo were also damaged pretty badly including bates, Wesley and the engleharts

**Posted by scoutergriz** 6/25/2025 6:48 am

I counted about 30 hydro poles snapped between Kearney Lake and Mew Lake, with one stretch of over a dozen in a row by LOTR, I was camped at Kearney and the site beside me had knee deep flooding, there were also several trees down (fortunately mostly in the woods) and a half dozen washouts with one being impassible by anything smaller than a full- size 4x4, I myself had a branch about 2-3" thick and 4' long go right through my dining tent roof, smashing a lantern on the picnic table. according to the Warden most of the park had no power until sunday night, but they did manage to get enough temporary power to run the water pumps and power up the offices (some by generator), although a boil water advisory was still ongoing monday morning due to water back flowing in the systems. Canoe Lake was fully functional and at one point the only source of potable water thanks to their new generator system

**Posted by boknows** 6/26/2025 6:26 am

MartinG wrote:
I heard access 27, 28 and 29 are closed. 1 is accessible but no backcountry permits being issued. Mark Rubino's group was evacuated from Kiosk today. He spoke to a helicopter pilot who said the Brent Road and Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park were devastated. 100's of trailers wrecked at SDC and 90% of the trees down.

So Mark Rubino and his group had to leave their vehicles and camping equipment behind??

Last edited by boknows (6/26/2025 6:26 am)

**Posted by PaPaddler** 6/26/2025 7:12 am

@ Bo - I expect all of the folks who were airlifted out of Kiosk will have to wait until the roads are repaired to get their stuff. Their personal insurance may help with the temporary costs of rentals.

Nature is awesome. Kudos to our paid and volunteer personnel - rewarding work to help others in need.

**Posted by Barbara** 6/27/2025 6:38 pm

boknows wrote:
So Mark Rubino and his group had to leave their vehicles and camping equipment behind??

There's only so much space in a helicopter. ;)

Camping becomes an airlifting experience for seniors, dog
https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/camping-becomes-an-airlifting-experience-for-seniors-dog-10854301

Quote:
Eyre says that with his diesel generator more than half full with gas, he could stay in the park for at least 10 more days. However, the Ontario Provincial Police did not offer that option to the Eyres.

"We will just stay, and then later on the OPP said everybody has to be air lifted out, and that's just the way it is, so I had to leave my motor home there, and that's why I had to put everything away in my truck."

**Posted by Barbara** 6/27/2025 6:42 pm

'Like a clear-cut forestry operation': Cleanup begins at downburst-hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/champlain-park-cleanup-1.7572595

Last edited by Barbara (6/27/2025 6:42 pm)

**Posted by IanTendy** 6/30/2025 9:34 am

Wow! Crazy to see how localized all this damage is. Nature must have really not liked that park in particular.