Major storm in Cypress County near Medicine Hat leaves homes, cars damaged
Posted Jul 18, 2022 3:20 pm.
Last Updated Jul 18, 2022 5:18 pm.
Another powerful storm has hit southern Alberta, leaving damage to some homes and vehicles in the Cypress County area.
Initially, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency referred to a tornado in its alert. However, it is now saying it was a “storm with dangerous and damaging winds” that hit the area around Highway 523, west of Medicine Hat.
“Be on the lookout for funnel clouds and take precautions as required,” the alert continues.
Related article: Alberta tornado severely damages homes southeast of Sundre on wild weather day
This comes as a severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for the area.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says the storm has the potential to create “very strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.”
Images and video posted to social media show extreme weather conditions in parts of the region, with rain being whipped in all directions by strong winds.
Pouring Rain and Driving Wind – can barely see across the street – do NOT unmute #ABstorm #medhat pic.twitter.com/Kf82azBHng
— Joan (@aSpottedJoan) July 18, 2022
“Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors,” the weather agency adds.
Meanwhile, the City of Medicine Hat earlier said that more than 7,000 customers had lost power amid the storm. The same is true in the Redcliff area, where the town reports the entire community was without electricity.
This severe weather event comes just weeks after another tornado severely damaged homes southeast of Sundre, northwest of Calgary, on July 7.
