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Flood-soaked Prairies hit with tornadoes, hail

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Flood-soaked Prairies hit with tornadoes, hail

High winds and hail slammed the flood-ravaged city of Brandon, Man., but so far the dikes have not been breached.

Other parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan were hit with three tornadoes as large hail pounded the Prairies.

The City of Brandon, the province’s second-largest city, provided an update on the current flood situation Sunday morning.

Brian Kayes, the city’s director of risk and emergency management, said the water level had increased about three inches since 9 p.m. Saturday.

Any water on the street was caused by the storm and not from damage to the dikes.

“It looked bad, but the system reasonably recovered,” he said.

No evacuation notices have been issued for the area, but Kayes is urging residents to start thinking of where they would go if forced to leave their homes.

The extent of the damage was caused by uprooted trees and mostly concentrated to 1st and 18th street.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in Brandon Sunday afternoon and toured the flooded areas.

“Facing widespread flooding and untold damage, the people of Manitoba and Saskatchewan have exhibited great strength and resiliency,” Harper said in a statement. “Our government will continue our work to ensure the safety of those communities affected by the flooding.”

Manitoba declared a state of emergency on Friday and 900 residents have so far been evacuated.

Environment Canada meteorologist Mike McDonald said they had received several reports of tornados and funnel clouds Saturday night.

Tornadoes were reported in Outlook, Sask., and south of Kenaston, Sask., as well as one in Hartney, Man., about one hour southwest of Brandon at 9:50 p.m., producing golf-ball sized hail and even moving a combine about 75 yards.

While Saskatchewan has not declared a state of emergency, 79 municipalities have and 50 residents have been evacuated.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/07/06/flood-soaked-prairies-hit-with-tornadoes-hail

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