LAC LA BICHE - A strong storm moved through the Lac La Biche area early Saturday evening, forcing people to take shelter and deal with downed trees and other clean-up afterward.
An Alberta Emergency Alert was issued on Saturday, July 10 at 5:27 p.m when a thunderstorm that had the potential to produce a tornado was moving through the northeastern part of the province. The tornado warnings ended by 6:58 p.m.
Originally, a thunderstorm alert was issued for areas around Lac la Biche, St. Paul and Bonnyville. At 6:03 p.m, the Alberta Emergency Alert was updated and stated that the thunderstorm 25 kilometres east of Lac la Biche was capable of producing a tornado and was moving in a northeast direction at 35km/h.
The alert told residents in the affected area to seek shelter immediately in a basement, or reinforced structure.
“Get low and put as many walls between yourself and the storm as possible. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls,” the alert read.
Multiple trees were reported down throughout Lac la Biche County. Reports also say that campers at Sir Winston Churchill Park were evacuated to safety as the thunderstorm became dangerous very quickly.
Around 6:50 p.m, Environment Canada stated the thunderstorm was quickly moving northeast of Lac la Biche at 50 km/h.
More to come...
