A tornado was confirmed to have touched down near a community in southwestern Manitoba on Sunday, as verified by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The tornado was spotted close to Elkhorn, Man., at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, as reported by Environment Canada. The tornado sightings were communicated through the RCMP and social media platforms.
Environment Canada is working in conjunction with the Northern Tornadoes Project to conduct further investigations and will release more details after completing a preliminary assessment. The region has experienced a summer marked by substantial rainfall, with parts of southwestern Manitoba being hit by heavy rains earlier this season.
In addition to the tornado near Elkhorn, another confirmed tornado was observed near Maryfield, Sask., around 4 p.m. on Sunday, as stated by the weather agency. There were reports of a possible tornado near Kelso, Sask., on Sunday; however, there is insufficient evidence to confirm it at this time.
According to Environment Canada meteorologist Shannon Moodie, storm damage was reported in the Manitoba community of Kola, located just south of Elkhorn. The Northern Tornadoes Project mentioned the likelihood that the tornado near Elkhorn may have originated near Kola, indicating uncertainty whether it was one tornado or two separate occurrences.
On Sunday, Kola received about 74 millimeters of rain, while St-Lazare and Duck Mountain Provincial Park received approximately 41 mm and 37.8 mm, respectively. Portions of Manitoba are expected to experience showers and isolated, non-severe thunderstorms on Monday, as the significant weather system over the Prairies responsible for Sunday’s storms is beginning to dissipate.
Resident Kurt Fuchs from Fleming, Sask., recounted encountering heavy rains while driving home from work in Virden, Man., on Sunday, which led him to seek refuge in Elkhorn around 6:30 p.m. He captured images showing storm damage in the town, including a store’s shed roof being torn off, scattering debris on the streets.
Dwayne Hohmann, division manager of the Twin Valley Co-op near Elkhorn, noted that a portion of the store’s lumber shed roof was damaged in the storm. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the community is focusing on recovery and moving forward together.
A farmer near Kola mentioned that his family would decide on Monday whether to rebuild after the storms caused extensive damage to their buildings, including a hay shed that was destroyed. Despite the losses, the farmer expressed determination to rebuild and continue moving forward.