200 homes completely destroyed in Vaughan; one man in hospital

Six hundred homes have been damaged in the city of Vaughan as a result of Thursday's tornado and another 200 have been destroyed and will have to be demolished.

Mayor Linda Jackson, speaking at a news conference Thursday morning, said her primary goal is the safe return of residents to their homes.

"The city of Vaughan is working and all avenues to assist in the recovery is being taken," she said.

Jackson toured the Woodbridge area Thursday night and said she is still overwhelmed by the destruction. "The devastation certainly was catastrophic," she said.

The city has taken on 14 building inspectors. Jackson says every building should be assessed by the end of the day and the city will assist with the rebuild.

Residents of the 200 homes in critical condition are not allowed access to their homes.

Emergency shelters, fire and police centres and Salvation Army canteens have been set up in the town to assist residents affected by the unprecedented destruction.

One man is in hospital in a coma after suffering a heart attack.