Deadly Tornado sweeps through southeastern Manitoba
Pastor Dale Morgan
Deadly Tornado sweeps through southeastern Manitoba*
Updated Sun. Aug. 6 2006 2:25 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
CANADA - One person died and about 10 others were injured after a
tornado hit cottage country in southeastern Manitoba.
The system included at least one tornado. That tornado touched down in
the Gull Lake area on Saturday, located about a one-hour drive north of
Winnipeg, where it struck a private campground. The storm reportedly hit
around about 6 p.m. CDT.
A second may have struck an area near Lac du Bonnet, about a 90-minute
drive northeast of Winnipeg; however, it may have been the same tornado.
"I'm near a roadblock leading into the Gull Lake area, and I can tell
you that it's like a giant stamped down on the forest here," CTV's Jill
Macyshon, whose family owns a cottage in the area, told CTV News by
telephone.
"Witnesses say at the time the tornado hit, there was a large
thunderstorm that drove through. Hail, high wind and rain. Peoples' ears
started popping - and then they saw the tornado touch down," she said.
The dead person is a 64-year-old woman, Macyshon said, adding three
others were injured there -- including the woman's husband.
"Cottages have been destroyed. Boats and trailers have been thrown
around like toys."
RCMP Sgt. Steve Saunders told The Canadian Press that things could have
been worse as most people were attending an annual picnic on the other
side of the lake.
He authorities have accounted for everyone in that campground, but
sniffer dogs were checking the rubble just in case.
A fishing lodge in Pointe du Bois reported seven people with minor
injuries, but a doctor at the lodge was able to treat everyone.
The severe weather moved eastward towards Lake of the Woods and Lake
Nipigon in northwest Ontario.
Environment Canada ended its severe weather watches for those areas by
about 1 a.m. CDT.
With files from CTV's Jill Macyshon, CTV Winnipeg and The Canadian Press