MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY – The tornado that tore across a large tract of Mountain View County north of Carstairs on Saturday afternoon damaged more than a dozen homes, destroying five completely, police said.
“One woman was trapped in her basement as her home was destroyed above her, but thankfully Carstairs Fire Department pulled her from the rubble and she only suffered minor injuries,” said RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney.
“No one else was injured,” she said.
Twenty-five cows and 20 chickens were killed on properties hit by the tornado. One horse also had to be put down.
The large tornado came down in Mountain View County shortly before 2 p.m., with Alberta Emergency Services issuing an alert.
The storm was one- to two-kilometres wide and focused along the Highway 2A and Highway 581 area about two kilometres north of Carstairs, which is in large part occupied by farms and ranches.
First responders, including members of the Carstairs and Didsbury fire departments, spent hours checking impacted homes, including at Highway 2A where two properties were heavily damaged.
The storm also toppled outbuildings, overturned vehicles as well as other farm equipment including silos, and tore up fencing.
Highway 2A was closed to traffic in both directions for several hours, with vehicle traffic detoured onto gravel roads.
Mountain View County reeve Angela Aalbers commended emergency crews and said the county will provide help and assistance to those families impacted.
“Although this event will undoubtedly have a lasting impact to those within our community, we are incredibly thankful for the quick response of the Town of Carstairs Fire Department, Town of Didsbury Fire Department, Town of Olds Fire Department, RCMP from numerous jurisdictions and all other partner agencies that responded quickly and professionally to this event,” said Aalbers.
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper, whose riding includes the rural area hit by the tornado, said, “Multiple families have been impacted and our thoughts are with you. Thank you to all first responders and also to the many locals who have come to the aid of their neighbours.”
The province will also be providing assistance to the families impacted, said Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services.
Reeve Aalbers said Mountain View County officials will continue to assess the damage caused by the tornado.
“Residents that experienced damage from the event are encouraged to provide their contact information to the county in order to facilitate communication between parties in the coming days,” she said.
“Specifically, residents are asked to send their name, contact information and a description of damage to [email protected]."
Cleanup at the damaged sites was already underway hours after the storm.
