Blair Chapman witnessed the dramatic impact of a severe storm that hit Prince Edward Island on Wednesday, causing widespread power outages. Chapman and his wife were at their residence in Little Harbour near Souris when they observed dark clouds approaching, shortly after receiving a weather warning from Environment Canada.
“We were taken by surprise by the intensity of the storm. Within a few minutes, rain started falling, and we noticed debris being swept up by strong winds, making the situation quite chaotic,” Chapman recalled.
The storm, which struck in the afternoon, brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, hail, thunder, and lightning to central and eastern parts of the island. In Charlottetown, flooding was reported, leading to street closures in the Sherwood and Parkdale areas.
Peter Meijer, operations manager at VK Greenhouses in Charlottetown, described the storm as loud and intense, with hail and heavy rain falling rapidly. Despite some damage to crops and plants at the greenhouse, the overall impact was not severe.
Chapman’s neighborhood of Little Harbour experienced a tornado, which uprooted trees and caused significant disruption. Another tornado-like event occurred in Rollo Bay, remaining over the water and classified as a waterspout.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Chapman expressed gratitude that their home escaped major damage. Witnessing the tornado up close was a first for him, prompting a mix of awe and concern for their safety during the storm.