Goderich in Huron County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Tornado 2011

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

1. Tornado 2011 Marker

Inscription. At 4 PM on August 21, 2011, an F3 category tornado struck Goderich at approximately this location. It swept up from the lake at the Sifto Salt mine. and crossed through the centre of the town, attaining speeds of 320 km/hr. The loss to Goderich and surrounding area was the greatest within living memory.

Normand Laberge, a salt mine employee, was the sole fatality. Over 35 individuals were injured, some seriously.

The tornado caused over 150 million dollars of damage, demolished approximately 40 houses and 25 commercial / industrial buildings. The loss of trees was extensive, changing immeasurably the beautiful landscape of Goderich. The people of Goderich became a committed, courageous and resilient force in rebuilding their community.

This historic marker was envisioned by Dr. Jim Hollingworth, created by Jim Wallace and funded by the Goderich Lions Club and Sifto Canada Corp.

Erected 2012 by Sifto Canada Corp./ Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is August 21, 2011.

Location. 43° 44.624′ N, 81° 43.166′ W. Marker is in Goderich,

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Ontario, in Huron County. It can be reached from Harbour Street. The marker is in Lions Harbour Park, accessible from the parking lot, approx. 100 metres from the entrance on West Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 166 Harbour St, Goderich ON N7A 2K9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Canada Company Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Mercer Jones, 1795-1868 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of Goderich / La Fondation de Goderich (within shouting distance of this marker); Tiger Dunlop’s Castle (within shouting distance of this marker); Salt Brine Plants (about 180 meters

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

2. Tornado 2011 Marker

away, measured in a direct line); The Original Lighthouse (about 180 meters away); The Great Storm of 1913 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Canadian Pacific Railway Station (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goderich.

Memorial artwork dedicated to the 2011 tornado image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

3. Memorial artwork dedicated to the 2011 tornado

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.