A tornado was confirmed by Environment and Climate Change Canada to have touched down near a community in southwestern Manitoba on Sunday. The tornado was spotted near Elkhorn, Man., at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, with reports coming in from the RCMP and social media.
Environment Canada is working in conjunction with the Northern Tornadoes Project to conduct further investigations and will release more details following a preliminary assessment.
The region has experienced a summer of heavy rainfall, with parts of southwestern Manitoba previously impacted by intense rains earlier this season. Another tornado was verified near Maryfield, Sask., at 4 p.m. on Sunday, while a potential tornado sighting was reported near Kelso, Sask., although conclusive evidence is lacking.
Storm damage was documented in Kola, a Manitoba community just south of Elkhorn, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Shannon Moodie. There is speculation that the tornado near Elkhorn may have originated near Kola, raising questions about whether there were multiple tornadoes or just one.
Kola received around 74 millimetres of rainfall on Sunday, while St-Lazare and Duck Mountain saw approximately 41 millimetres and 37.8 millimetres, respectively, as reported by Moodie.
Parts of Manitoba are forecasted to experience showers and isolated, non-severe thunderstorms on Monday, as the significant weather system over the Prairies that triggered Sunday’s storms begins to calm down.
Residents in the affected areas shared their experiences, with one individual describing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure due to the storm. Plans are underway to assess the extent of the damage and decide on reconstruction efforts.
The community is coming together to assess the aftermath of the tornado and make decisions about rebuilding damaged structures. Despite the challenges faced, there is a resilient spirit among residents determined to restore their community.