Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) has confirmed that a tornado did in fact touch down in Fergus on Sunday night.
The NTP sent a survey team to the area Monday to investigate the damage and has classified the tornado as an EF0. That is the lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale with estimated wind speeds between between 90 and 130 kilometres per hour.
"The NTP storm survey team has found a long, narrow path of damage through the Fergus area, confirming that a tornado did indeed occur there last evening," the NTP said in a post to "X", formerly Twitter. "A preliminary EF0 rating has been assigned."
A fast moving line of thunderstorms moved through the region, which was under a severe thunderstorm warning with winds reportedly gusting around 100 kilometres an hour after 9 p.m. Sunday.
Environment Canada warned the gusts could toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break tree branches, and overturn vehicles. It also noted the storms were capable of producing tornadoes.
Damage including downed trees and snapped hydro lines were reported near Groves Hospital immediately after the line of storms moved through.
The Northern Tornadoes Project is asking anyone with photos or video from the storm or any damage to email ntp@uwo.ca.
*with files from Janice MacKay