Two EF-2 tornadoes struck west-central Alberta on Saturday, causing significant damage in Clearwater County. The storms, which hit near Rocky Mountain House, destroyed several outbuildings and damaged roughly eight homes.
The 190 km/h winds that battered Rocky Mountain House
Investigators from Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) have confirmed that two separate EF-2 tornadoes touched down in west-central Alberta. According to the report, these twisters produced wind speeds of approximately 190 km/h, resulting in extensive damage to both trees and structures. The first tornado formed southwest of Rocky Mountain House and moved toward the town's southern limits, while a second developed east of the town and tracked further eastward.
In Clearwater County, the destruction was widespread, though officials noted a fortunate lack of fatalities or serious injuries. Reeve Jordon Northcott stated that while many of the hardest-hit structures were outbuildings—including calf shelters, workshops, and granaries—approximately eight homes suffered damage so severe they will require extensive repairs before they are habitable again.
Alberta's 27 confirmed twisters and the 2019 record
The recent activity in Clearwater County is part of a historically volatile season for the province. matthew Woodward, the Alberta damage survey lead for the Northern Tornadoes Project and the Canadian Severe Storms Lab, noted that Alberta has already seen 27 confirmed tornadoes this year. This figure surpasses the previous record of 23 twisters recorded in 2019 since the NTP began tracking in 2017.
This surge in activity includes several high-intensity events. As reported by the source, Alberta has already recorded four EF-2 tornadoes and one EF-3 tornado, the latter of which occurred at Tulliby Lake. With a month and a half of the peak storm season remaining, the province is seeing a frequency of significant weather events that far exceeds recent historical norms.
How June's heavy rains fueled the Clearwater County storms
Meteorologists point to an unusually moist atmosphere as the primary driver for this year's severe weather.. Janelle Gergely, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, explained that the heavy rainfall experienced across central Alberta during June provided the necessary available moisture to fuel these intense storms.
However, not all of this year's 27 twisters have been as destructive as the EF-2s in Rocky Mountain House. Janelle Gergely noted that roughly 10 of the recorded tornadoes were landspouts—typically weaker vortices—that touched down over a few days in May near the Red Deer Corridor.
Jason Nixon and the push for tree-clearing grants
Recovery efforts in Clearwater County are now focused on debris removal and structural repair. Reeve Jordon Northcott has entered discussions with the provincial government to secure financial assistance for affected landowners. Specifically, these talks involve Finance Minister Jason Nixon,who also serves as the local MLA, regarding potential grant funding to help residents clear downed trees from their properties .
While displaced residents have currently found temporary housing through friends and family, the long-term recovery of the eight heavily damaged homes remains a priority for the county. Local officials have indicated that no requests for emergency social servvices support have been received thus far.
The missing tally of total financial losses
Despite the confirmation of the EF-2 rating and the number of damaged homes, several critical details remain unknown. The report does not provide a total estimated dollar value for the structural losses in Clearwater County, nor does it specify the exact amount of grant funding Finance Minister Jason Nixon is considering for tree removal.
Furthermore, while the report mentions the "magnitude of the destruction," it is unclear if insurance coverage is sufficient for the damaged outbuildings, such as granaries and workshops, which often have different coverage limits than primary residences.
Comments 0