HENSALL – Environment Canada's preliminary estimate is that an intense storm that hit Hensall yesterday afternoon (July 28) was likely a downburst event and not a tornado.

The storm, which knocked down trees and left heavy limbs strewn over lawns and power lines, was still being investigated this morning, but it's believed the damage was caused by a downburst with peak winds in excess of 90 km/h.

A downburst is a localized gust of damaging winds that typically comes out of a storm and spreads out in all directions, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson.

As reported yesterday by the Times-Advocate, witnesses reported hail, torrential rain and heavy winds starting sometime between 2:30 and 3 p.m., lasting a matter of minutes.

Tree limbs were knocked down on either side of King Street, which runs through the heart of the village, and other portions of Hensall's east end.

Festival Hydro president Bill Zehr said this morning about half his company's 500 customers in the village were without power yesterday, and work crews were on scene until around midnight, by which time it's believed power was back on.

A full report will appear in the Aug. 4 Times-Advocate.