At least one person was sent to hospital after a storm blew through an area east of Fort Frances late yesterday.
A number of properties in Watten township suffered damage with a number of trees knocked down.
The storm also led to six small fires that have since been extinguished.
Some roads are still blocked by falling trees.
Some residents indicate seeing a tornado.
Power is out to several homes still at this hour.
Heavy rain remains in the forecast for much of northwestern Ontario.
In the first wave Sunday night and Monday morning and Clearwater Bay led the Kenora district with 110 millimetres.
Bill Laidlaw of Signal Weather Services says Kenora recorded 53.4-millimetres, Vermilion Bay 49.5-millimetres, Sioux Lookout 40.9-millimetres, Dyment 23.3-millimetres, Ignace 20.1-millimetres and Dryden 14.5-millimetres.
The storm has resulted in isolated flooding on rural and bush roads across the region.
Laidlaw says we can expect more rain Monday night and Tuesday before things clear off.
Recovery efforts continue in the Red Lake area and community spirit remains high.
Mayor Fred Mota is proud of his community’s togetherness after the massive storm that hit the municipality on Friday.
The Heritage Centre was among the hardest hit, with its roof being ripped off.
Mota says the clean up at the site saw many volunteers including members of the Red Lake Miners hockey team.
“They came into the Heritage Centre, once it was deemed safe, and they were working with our community group to cover artifacts in plastic, to protect them the best that we good.”
Mota notes the building did sustain water damage in the walls and basement and some artifacts may have been damaged.
He says they are now in the early states of repairing the Centre.
A community emergency remains in place.
Mota says “There was municipal infrastructure damaged. A loss of hydro-electricity. Numerous trees were down, blocking roadways and driveways. And there was also damage done to commercial properties and residential properties.”
Mota says they are still removing trees but most roads are cleared thanks to the quick action of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and community groups.
He stresses everyone has rallied together since the storm.
“Neighbours were checking on neighbours. People were helping each other. It’s amazing to see, when a disaster like this hits, how a community comes together. And that’s what Red Lake stands for.”
(Picture Credit: Angele Krummenacher)
Confusion, anxiety, prayers and a community coming together as one.
That’s what all occurred in Red Lake on the weekend following a vicious and damaging storm struck Friday afternoon.
Homes, businesses, planes, buildings and the Heritage Centre were all damaged and power was knocked out in some areas for more than 36-hours.
Resident Marilyn Duncalfe spoke to CKDR News about the event and its impact.
Duncalfe says she lives far from the Heritage Centre and her lawn was littered with pieces of insulation foam from the inside roof of the Heritage Centre.
She says debris also cluttered Highway 105 and other roads in the community because of the powerful wind gusts.
A community emergency remains in place as clean-up efforts continue.
The Centre, Centennial Park and ball diamonds are all closed until further notice.
Duncalfe is thanking TJ’s Kwik Stop for stepping up during a lengthy power outage to help support residents.
She says their store became the meeting place and hub for the entire community.
TJ’s with food donated by IGA raised $2,600 to support the Heritage Centre.
Duncalfe says when they ran out of supplies, the Lions Club and Red Lake Miners took over the barbeque utilizing food that was to have been cooked for the postponed SIJHL game.
Duncalfe stresses the event gripped the entire community.
“You hear that someone, for example, an airplane has been submerged in the water. You know who that individual is and you feel it all the more deeply. So people truly pull together.”
To hear more, visit the Audio link below.
All pictures have been submitted by Marilyn Duncalfe.
To join the conversation on the weekend storm, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1755601174651802/
An emergency has been declared in the Municipality of Red Lake.
The damage from Friday’s severe storm that wreaked wide spread havoc on the community can now be clearly seen.
The extreme wind conditions severely damaged municipal infrastructure, knocked out power, and uprooted a number of trees.
Debris blocked numerous roadways and driveways.
Mayor Fred Mota says fortunately no one was injured.
Mota notes municipal employees and community partners are currently evaluating the situation and have commenced the clean-up.
Centennial Park and the Dan Kutcheran Ball Field are both closed for public use until further notice.
T&J Harapiak have set up a pop and BBQ stand to help residents in obtaining a hot meal.
All proceeds will go to the Heritage Centre.
The roof of the building was ripped off in the storm.
Here is the official statement from the Municipality of Red Lake:
“10:05 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2019, Mayor Fred Mota issued a declaration of emergency pertaining to the severe weather event which occurred on Friday, September 20, 2019. Due to the extreme wind conditions, Municipal infrastructure has been damaged, a loss of hydro electricity, and numerous trees are down blocking roadways and driveways.
Mayor Mota states: “While we experience this extreme event, we are pleased to report that nobody was injured. This being said, I urge everyone to check in on their neighbours and assist people where possible during the power outage. Please use caution when out on our streets. Municipal employees along with community partners are currently evaluating the situation and have commenced the cleanup.”
Until further notice, please be advised that Centennial Park including the Dan Kutcheran ball field will be closed for public use.
For those requiring assistance and/or want to report a public safety concern, please call our Public Works after hours call in number at 807-727-2597
(Photo Credit: Marilyn Duncalfe)
Another Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by Environment Canada.
The notice covers the Vermilion Bay, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Ignace area.
Conditions will be favourable for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
Damaging winds and large hail will be the main threats.
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the entire region.
Environment Canada says conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail.
The storm is expected to arrive this afternoon and continue into the evening.
Frequent lightning can be expected.
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
After a late morning storm blew through and weather warnings for our area were cancelled, we might be forgiven for thinking the bad weather was over for today.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for both Kenora and Dryden areas as of 3:45 this afternoon.
At 3:42 p.m. CDT, Environment Canada meteorologists say they were tracking a cluster of severe thunderstorms capable of producing very strong wind gusts, nickel to ping pong ball size hail and heavy rain.
The thunderstorms are located near Kenora and are moving eastward.
Quarter-sized hail was reported with these storms in Manitoba this afternoon.
Locations impacted may include:
Rushing River Provincial Park, Sioux Narrows, Sioux Narrows Provincial Park, Eagle-Dogtooth Provincial Park, Winnange Lake Provincial Park, Blue Lake Provincial Park, Vermilion Bay, French Portage, Jones, Hawk Lake, Willard Lake, McIntosh and Quibell as well as Dryden and east toward Dinorwic.
Thunderstorm WATCHES cover Red Lake, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout, Hudson and Ignace as well.
At 3:50, Doppler Radar at CKDR.NET was tracking a small but intense system sweeping through Kenora and bearin east toward Dryden. Please watch for suddent storms and be prepared to take cover.
Some communities are cleaning up following a Wednesday night storm.
The Dryden area was under a Tornado Watch but missed the brunt of the storm.
The power went out in the Rainy River district and some homes remain without electricity.
Hundreds were effected at the height of the storm which brought heavy rain, strong winds, hail and tornado warnings.
There are multiple reports of funnel clouds in the west end of the district as well as Kenora.
Several tornadoes were seen touching down in parts of northeastern Minnesota.
No injuries have been reported.
Last night’s storm dropped a lot of rain on some areas of northwestern Ontario.
The Fort Frances area was the hardest hit with 44-millimetres recorded.
Ignace received about 33-millimetres.
