Two tornadoes, not one, roared through the Midland, Ont., area Wednesday evening, downing trees and damaging homes, Environment Canada says.

Initial reports suggested that at least one tornado had hit the central Ontario community but Environment Canada confirmed late Thursday that at least two tornadoes occurred Wednesday between 6:30 p.m. ET and 7 p.m.

Svetlana Fainstein surveys the damage to her home at Smith's trailer park in Midland, Ont., on Thursday, the day after a tornado. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)

The first tornado began in a beach area west of Midland and ended just west of Waubaushene, covering roughly 25 kilometres, Environment Canada said. This tornado, which had peak wind speeds of between 180 and 240 km/h, caused significant damage at a trailer park at the south end of Midland.

A second tornado was spawned from the same thunderstorm that moved over the Midland area, Environment Canada said. The most significant damage from the second, lower-intensity tornado was to farm buildings and a garage.

The second tornado had peak winds of between 120 and 170 km/h.

The storm knocked down power lines and inflicted widespread damage at the 323-unit Smith's Camp trailer park but caused only minor injuries.

About 50 families lost their homes as the twister tore through the area, which is about 120 kilometres north of Toronto. Mayor James Downer said the families who lost their homes have been taken in by friends and relatives.

Downer declared a state of emergency after the storms, saying he will not lift it until he is sure everyone in the community is safe.

Rick Bartolucci, Ontario's minister of community safety, toured the area Thursday. He said the province is assessing the need for emergency relief funds.

Damage from the storms could be as high as $15 million, according to insurance experts.

The investigation into the tornadoes was continuing Friday, Environment Canada said, noting the details could change when a final report is issued later.

With the two Midland-area tornadoes, the total count for tornadoes in Ontario this year stands at four, Environment Canada said.

With files from The Canadian Press