At 2:49 p.m., forecasters said they were tracking a strong thunderstorm near Shantz, located about 25 kilometers southeast of Sundre, moving slowly eastward. He said the storm has spawned a tornado. Residents were asked to seek shelter. A tornado watch was also issued before 3 p.m. for red deer town and area. He lost sight of the great cone tornado pic.twitter.com/lbSHOBjNRn —@lightningmanAB Forecasters are also watching a strong storm west of Rocky Mountain House, traveling east, that may be capable of producing nickel- to ping-pong-sized hail and heavy rain. A tornado watch was also issued for areas within Brazeau County, Clearwater County, Yellowhead County, O’Chiese 203 Reserve and Clearwater County near the Sunchild Cree Reserve. Just before 3 p.m., a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for areas around Milk River and Coutts, located in southern Alberta. Around 3:30 p.m., Environment Canada said it was tracking a severe thunderstorm located 10 kilometers south of Fort Assiniboine, about 160 kilometers northwest of Edmonton. Earlier in the day, the agency issued a storm watch for several other areas of the province (see below). Tornado pic.twitter.com/7Nzwl1HCV8 —@lightningmanAB It says conditions are favorable for the development of dangerous storms, which may be capable of producing strong winds, damaging hail and heavy rainfall. Strong storms can also spawn tornadoes, he said. “Thunderstorms are expected across much of southern and central Alberta today,” Environment Canada said on its website at 10:27 a.m. of Thursday. “Some of these storms will become severe.” Bergen pic.twitter.com/X29ASTLkYg —@ratzlaff The agency warned that very large hail could damage property, break windows, dent vehicles and cause serious injuries. He also said very strong winds can damage buildings, topple trees and blow large vehicles off the road. If people hear thunder, they should head indoors, the agency said, to avoid nearby lightning. Environment Canada has issued severe thunderstorm watches for the following areas: Kyle Brittain, the Alberta bureau chief for the Weather Network, said the province is in a peak tornado season, which tends to last into July. He said Alberta averages about 15 tornadoes a year. So far, the province has probably dealt with two, which is a little slower than expected, he said. Tornado continues near Bergen 245 pm. pic.twitter.com/phZasSTKbh —@KyleTWN “Here in Alberta, we are very dependent on local moisture sources,” Brittain told the Calgary Eyeopener. “So how much rain falls in June and July can really make our season. And it looked like we were going to have another drought earlier in the year, but that completely changed in June. “Now we have a lot of water on the ground.” He said in the event a tornado approaches, people should get to the lowest possible level in their home or a sturdy structure. “The interior room on the lower level with no windows is the safest place,” he said, adding that people should stay tuned to local media for updates on what’s going on. If someone finds themselves in a place like a mall or school, he recommends finding a sturdy room with solid walls, like maybe a bathroom.
What to do in case of a tornado
The Government of Canada’s Hazards and Emergencies website advises the following to protect yourself in the event of a tornado: If you are in a home:
Take refuge in the basement or in a small interior ground floor room such as a bathroom, closet or hallway. If there is no basement, get under a heavy table or desk. Always avoid windows, exterior walls and doors.
If you are in an office or apartment building:
Go to an interior corridor or room, preferably in the basement or ground floor. Avoid the elevator. Stay away from windows.
If you live on a farm:
The government says not to worry about the animals, who will hear and sense impending upheavals. If your family is in danger, don’t worry about the animals. If personal safety is not an issue, the government advises, you may have time to make escape routes for your animals. It advises you to leave the area at a tangent to the expected path of the tornado.
If you are in a gym, church or auditorium:
Large buildings with large opening roofs can collapse if a spinner hits, so if you are in one of these buildings and can’t get out, try to take shelter under a table or desk.
Avoid vehicles and caravans:
The government says more than 50 percent of all tornado deaths occur in mobile homes. If you are driving and spot a tornado in the distance, go to the nearest solid shelter. If there is no shelter, lie in a ditch away from the vehicle or caravan. Get as close to the ground as possible, protect your head and watch for flying debris.
