Power lines lie along Box Springs Road, north of Medicine Hat after a storm hit the area Monday, July 18, 2022. Photo courtesy of Sandra Smith

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A violent storm hit southeastern Alberta near Medicine Hat Monday afternoon, damaging homes and knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses in the area.

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The Emergency Alert initially reported the event as a tornado that touched down near highways 1 and 523 near Medicine Hat, but later updates listed it as a “dangerous and damaging wind storm.” Ambulances and other emergency crews responded to the area, but AHS reported no injuries. Video posted on Twitter shows torrential rain and strong winds battering parked cars in Redcliff, just west of Medicine Hat. The storm knocked out power to more than 7,000 customers on Medicine Hat’s west side. By 3:30 p.m., the city said it had restored power to more than 1,700 properties, while about 5,600 customers remained without power. He noted that several power lines were down throughout the area and emergency crews were responding to reports of people trapped in their vehicles under power lines.

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Medicine Hat resident Sarah Bourgeois said she was at home with her five children when the storm hit. When she retreated in the late afternoon, she found many branches lying in the street, torn from her neighbors’ trees by the wind. “It was very scary for all of us,” he said. “We kind of ran downstairs and hid, but the thunder was shaking the house … I don’t think I’ve ever had a storm like that before.” In a news release, Redcliff RCMP said they received reports of a possible tornado on Highway 3 in Cypress County that overturned a motor home. Further calls reported damage to residents along Highway 523, Mounties said, adding that roads were closed across the county and the public was asked to avoid the area.

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A tornado warning was briefly issued for Cypress County, a rural municipality surrounding Medicine Hat, though it was no longer in effect late Monday afternoon. Residents needing help after the storm were asked to go to the county office in Dunmore. Environment Canada also issued severe thunderstorm warnings Monday afternoon as a line of storms dumped hail and strong winds across parts of southeastern Alberta. By 3 p.m., the warnings had been downgraded to watches. You can sign up for emergency alerts from the province at awarte.alberta.ca.

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[email protected] Twitter: @michaelrdrguez

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