Residents and emergency crews in southwestern Manitoba began a large-scale cleanup after a tornado moved through the area near Elkhorn on Sunday evening, damaging structures and flattening farm buildings in its path.
Storm hits shortly after sundown
The twister touched down at roughly 6:30 p.m. as a line of severe thunderstorms tracked across southern Manitoba. Damage was concentrated near the small community of Kola, just south of Elkhorn, where several farms reported heavy losses.
One local farmer described how buildings on his property were destroyed, including a hay shed that was "completely flattened." He said the family reacted quickly when they heard the storm approaching and sent people to safer locations in the house.
"We heard the rumble, and one of the boys that lives upstairs, we said, well, we better get him downstairs... That semi trailer looked like it was going to go over," said farmer Kelvin Siemens.
Community response and cleanup
Volunteers, neighbours and local crews mobilized after the storm to clear debris, secure damaged properties and check on residents. So far, authorities report no serious injuries, though people in affected areas are being advised to exercise caution around unstable structures and downed power lines.
Local officials and emergency personnel have not released an estimated timeline for restoring all services, and assessments of structural damage are ongoing. For farmers and homeowners facing destroyed outbuildings, the immediate priorities are safety, salvage of usable equipment and coordinating insurance assessments where applicable.
Weather pattern behind the twister
Meteorologists say the tornado was produced when unstable air collided with an advancing cold front. Justin Oertel with the Weather Centre of Manitoba explained the setup, noting that the cold front moving in from the west created the right environment for dangerous thunderstorms that evening.
Oertel and other weather observers have been tracking an active severe-weather stretch this summer. Manitoba has recorded 11 confirmed tornadoes so far this year, roughly in line with the provincial average.
Ongoing risk for the week
Forecasters warn the threat of severe weather may not be over for southern Manitoba. The Weather Centre highlighted potential chase days later in the week, with areas around Morden and Winkler flagged as possibly active.
- Time of touchdown: approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday
- Primary damage area: near Kola, south of Elkhorn
- Reported human impact: no serious injuries to date
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Confirmed tornadoes in Manitoba this year | 11 |
| Approximate touchdown time | 6:30 p.m. |
Residents in storm-prone parts of the province are being urged to remain alert to forecasts and watches issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Basic preparedness steps — having a safe room or basement identified, securing outdoor items, and keeping a battery-powered radio or charged phone for alerts — remain important.
Local voices and next steps
Neighbours and community groups have rallied to support affected households, offering shelter, food and help with clearing debris. In rural communities, farmers often rely on each other in the immediate aftermath of storms to recover equipment and assess losses.
As clean-up continues, municipal officials and provincial agencies will compile damage reports to determine if further assistance is needed. For now, the focus remains on safety and restoring normalcy to the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the storm.
WE NEWS will continue to follow developments and provide updates on recovery efforts, road and power restoration, and any changes to the forecast for southern Manitoba.
