A destructive tornado that struck central Alberta on Canada Day has been classified as an EF4, making it one of the most potent tornadoes the province has experienced in 36 years.
In the aftermath of the tornado, cleanup efforts were still underway just north of Carstairs in Mountain View County. The landscape was littered with piles of debris scattered across properties, painting a scene of devastation.
Jared Wesley, assessing the damage to his mother’s property, described the destruction as total. Two homes, including one his mother resided in and another prepared for relocation, were reduced to mere scraps of wood and metal.
Experts revealed that the tornado had winds reaching speeds of up to 275 kilometers per hour, comparable to the infamous Edmonton tornado of 1987 that caused the loss of 27 lives and injured numerous individuals. Fortunately, this recent tornado resulted in only minor injuries to one person, although twelve homes were damaged, and three were completely destroyed.
Connell Miller, associated with the Northern Tornadoes Project, compared the scene to something out of an apocalyptic movie, resembling the aftermath of a meteor crash.
Alberta typically experiences an average of 15 tornadoes per year, and this year has already seen 13. Meteorologist Terri Lang from Environment and Climate Change Canada emphasized the difficulty in accurately forecasting severe weather and tornado occurrences for the remainder of the summer.
The storm that struck on Saturday flattened homes, launched vehicles into the air, and shattered large trees. The tornado’s path stretched over 15 kilometers and spanned more than 600 meters in width.
Despite the devastating impact, Wesley found solace in the absence of human casualties and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community. Hundreds of people volunteered to help with cleanup efforts and offered donations to assist those affected.
Provincial ministers have pledged to visit the affected area, although it remains uncertain when or if financial aid will be provided by the government. In the meantime, Wesley has established an online fundraiser to support his mother and others impacted by the tornado.