The Pembina and Red River Valleys have again weathered a line of severe thunderstorms that have left in their wake dozens of trees down, hydro out in some locations and heavy rainfall.

While hydro was restored to some customers last evening, Manitoba Hydro is reporting the Morden area saw the worst damage. Extra Hydro Crews are in the area assessing and there is no estimated time of restoration as of yet.

With the power outages there is a growing list of closed businesses and cancellations, keep up to date by clicking here.

Strong winds also packed a punch, knocking down dozens of trees and damaging some buildings, including the Winkler Fire Hall.
    
Rainfall amounts varied throughout the region, with Morden reporting 1.6 inches, Elm Creek and Snowflake 1.7, 1 inch fell in Altona, Gretna, and Manitou, while Winkler received 9/10ths of an inch.

CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner tells PembinaValleyOnline.com, like what has happened several times before this summer, a very warm and humid airmass was in place over the region when a cold front began moving through early Wednesday evening. He notes a number of factors also came into play that led to a risk of tornado development, which has since subsided.

Kids stand on a tree that fell on a truck on Harmony Lane in Winkler

 

According to Environment Canada rainfall amounts of 40 to 60 millimetres in an hour or less were reported with the line of storms, and a wind gust of 111km/hr was recorded at Morden. In the southwestern part of the province, funnel clouds were spotted in several areas, and witnesses confirmed a tornado touched down northeast of Glenboro.

 

Meanwhile, the outdoor emergency siren in Winkler was activated Wednesday evening during the storm. Southern Emergency Response Committee Public Information Officer Mark Bennet says a resident in the R.M. Of Stanley reported seeing a funnel cloud.

“No reports of anything touching down,” says Bennet. “There is tree and debris scattered all over the place.”

Morden officials are asking people to avoid the parks in town, because there are many trees that are currently unstable after being damaged by the storm. PembinaValleyOnline.com continues to follow this story, and will provide updates as new information is gathered.