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Moore museum closed, residents cleaning up after Saturday storm along the St. Clair River

July 19, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent

Moore Museum officials are evaluating the damage after a major storm knocked down three trees either on or near the buildings at the historic site.

It was part of a wider path of damage after a storm with strong winds and some hail rolled off the St. Clair River causing heavy damage between Corunna and Courtright Saturday around 2:30 pm. Lambton OPP closed down the parkway in the wake of the storm, saying trees and downed power lines were on the roadway.

The most severe damage appears to have been in Mooretown, where the museum is located.

Officials at the Moore Museum are assessing the damage after a storm rolled through Mooretown Saturday, toppling several trees, including this pine, on the grounds. The museum is closed to visitors.

A large pine tree has fallen on the west side of the museum building. It’s not clear how much damage the tip of the tree caused on the old brick schoolhouse.

A large maple fell onto the roof of the exhibition hall, damaging the roof of the steel clad building.

And another tree was toppled near the Reilley Cottage which dates back to 1893, although its not clear whether any damage was done.


Officials at the Moore Museum are assessing the damage after a storm in Mooretown July 18, 2026. The museum is closed to visitors.

Tree branches are scattered around the site which has been temporarily closed while officials deal with the storm damage.

St. Clair Public Works crews are also likely to be busy at some of the waterfront parks. All of the willow trees in Mooretown Centennial Park on the St. Clair River were heavily damaged in the storm, with at least one large tree knocked down and split down the middle.

All along the St. Clair Parkway, residents could be seen Sunday morning clearing tree branches and stacking them near the road for pickup. A number of homes are missing patches of shingles in the wake of the storm.

A fallen tree near Rielley Cottage at the Moore Museum after the July 18, 2026 storm.
A tree topples a porta-potty in Courtright during a storm July 18, 2026.
This photo by Gary Baker shows bark is stripped off a tree on the St. Clair River in Courtright.
Officials at the Moore Museum are assessing the damage after a storm rolled through Mooretown July 18, 2026, toppling several trees, including this pine, on the grounds. The museum is closed to visitors.
A man works to clear a large tree branch which fell at Lyndoch and Beckwith Streets in Corunna Saturday July 18, 2026.
Lambton OPP blocked off the St. Clair Parkway July 18, 2026 after a storm took down power lines and toppled multiple trees, including this one at Lyndoch and Beckwith Streets.
This photo by Becky Somerville shows a downed pine tree in Mooretown after a strong storm July 18, 2026.

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