Manitoba communities endured the fury of a supercell thunderstorm, unleashing torrential rain, grapefruit-sized hail, and powerful winds that wreaked havoc on the region. One unfortunate homeowner near Beausejour witnessed a portion of their neighbor’s roof torn off by the ferocious winds.
Terry Bachman, a resident of the Beausejour area, found herself cleaning up the aftermath of the storm, where damage was widespread. Trees and billboards were toppled, a trailer was flipped, and metal drums were thrown against a chain-link fence, bearing witness to the storm’s destructive force.
Travis Voss, another resident impacted by the storm, described the intensity of the winds, recounting how his house and garage managed to withstand the storm’s onslaught, but two large trees on his property suffered significant damage.
Beausejour Mayor Ray Schirle expressed his astonishment at the scale of the destruction, stating that he had never witnessed such extensive damage in the community. The aftermath called for a comprehensive clean-up and damage assessment to the facilities impacted by the storm.
Residents and local authorities speculate that a tornado may have caused the devastation. While the Canadian Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has yet to confirm this, they are actively investigating the possibility of tornadoes touching down in both Beausejour and Washow Bay, situated in the Interlake region. Numerous reports of funnel clouds and wind damage in the Beausejour area are also under scrutiny by ECCC.
The storm’s might was further exemplified by reports of grapefruit-sized hail in the Fisher Bay and Fisher River area, adding to the array of natural forces that contributed to the havoc unleashed upon Manitoba communities. As investigations continue into the nature and extent of the storm’s impact, residents are banding together to restore their homes and communities to their former state.
Vehicles Show a Few Dents After Storm
Jeremy Neault, a resident of Fisher River Cree Nation, experienced the intensity of the storm and tornado warning first-hand from his home. He described the experience as nerve-wracking, particularly because tornado warnings were a rare occurrence in the area. Neault witnessed baseball-sized hail at his home during the storm, which left a few dents on their vehicles. However, the impact was more severe for other members of the community, as some homes and vehicles suffered major damage.
The storm’s wrath extended beyond Fisher River Cree Nation, affecting neighboring areas as well. East Selkirk and Falcon Lake reported baseball-sized hail, while Lockport experienced hail the size of tennis balls. St. Andrews and Selkirk encountered hail as large as hen eggs, while Tyndall reported golf ball-sized hail. Garson experienced hail the size of ping pong balls, and Rennie faced hail the size of toonies.
Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), highlighted the rarity of hail the size of grapefruits. Such large hail can cause significant damage, with windshields shattering and vehicle chassis cracking due to its forceful impact. The hail’s speed adds to the destructive potential, and even smaller hailstones can cause painful injuries.
The storm also brought powerful wind gusts to other regions. Grandview experienced wind gusts of up to 78 km/h, while Elma encountered gusts of 74 km/h. The combination of hail and strong winds made the storm a formidable force, leaving its mark on various communities in the region.