Softball-sized hail, strong wind gusts reported in Manitoba storm
A close-knit community is picking up the pieces a day after a severe thunderstorm battered parts of southwestern Manitoba with softball-sized hail, leaving a trail of destruction and debris in its wake.
The storm that hit Oak River and Rivers, communities located northwest of Brandon, was unlike any storm resident Debbie Neely has ever seen before.
"It was pretty scary," she said. "The wind was crazy. The trees were bending over. There are no leaves left on the trees, and hail hitting the house – you just knew that it wasn't going to be good when you went and looked after."
The storm flattened farmers' fields, felled trees, smashed windows and damaged homes as hail pummelled the community. Pictures from the hard-hit areas show homes with siding that's been shredded by the downfall.
The aftermath of a severe thunderstorm that battered the community of Oak River, Man., with large hail on June 7, 2023. (Source: Jamie Dowsett/ CTV News Winnipeg)
Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said there were reports of hail the size of golf balls and ping pong balls near Rivers, and softball-sized hail near Oak River.
"Softball-sized hail, that's huge. That's very, very big for Manitoba," Hasell said. "Softball-sized hail can definitely cause a lot of damage.
A photo of the hail that fell in Rivers, Man., during a severe thunderstorm on June 7, 2023. Environmental and Climate Change Canada says in some areas the hail was the size of softballs. (Submitted: Dennis Zemliak)
Hasell said the storm also brought a peak wind gust of 102 km/h near Rivers. Despite the heavy winds, which did briefly prompt a tornado warning in the area, Hasell said ECCC has yet to confirm if there was actually a tornado.
It is a close call for the community.
"I think if a funnel cloud or tornado would have really hit, it would've been devastating to this community," said Bob Christie, the Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Oakview.
The aftermath of a severe thunderstorm that battered the community of Oak River, Man., with large hail on June 7, 2023. (Source: Jamie Dowsett/ CTV News Winnipeg)
Even with no confirmed tornado, the storm did plenty of damage for farmers like Eric McLean who are now back to square one. McLean said the storm damaged 1,500 to 2,500 acres of wheat seed, canola and soybeans.
"It's going to delay maturity if it does come back, if at all," he said, adding this will stretch the harvest window.
He believes the storm is one of the worst in Oak River's history.
"Eventually your number gets pulled and sometimes it happens," he said. "It is what it is."
Despite the widespread damage from Wednesday's storm, no injuries have been reported. McLean said the community is already coming together and helping where it's needed.
"Everybody survived and that's the best part. Property and things can be replaced and repaired. People can't," he said.
Hasell said it is not unusual to see these types of storms hit Manitoba this time of year, but said if the current trends continue, it will be a busy summer.
"This season, we've been dealing with thunderstorms that are causing issues," she said. "So it would be important for people to pay attention to the weather, current conditions, the forecast, the alerts, and to act appropriately. Most of the time, this is just taking shelter."
She said people with information about the storm can send info to Environment and Climate Change Canada by email or by using the hashtag on Twitter #mbstorm.
A spokesperson for Manitoba Public Insurance told CTV News the number of claims related to the storm is not readily available. However, those who have had their vehicle damaged in the hail storm can make a claim with MPIs contact centre.
-with files from CTV's Daniel Halmarson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.