Several homes were damaged and dozens of people have been temporarily displaced after a tornado swept through Waywayseecappo First Nation Monday night, about 280 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.
An eyewitness report suggests that at least one home was destroyed on the reserve and several others were damaged as a result of the storm.
There have been no reports of any injuries at this time.
Waywayseecappo resident Eric Mentuck watched from the back deck of his home, shooting video as funnel clouds formed.
“In 20 mins from my deck we watched four tornadoes form and dissolve…” he wrote on his Facebook page Monday evening.
Mentuck said the storm lasted about 15-20 minutes. One of the funnel clouds appeared to dissolve as it reached Birdtail Valley.
“That house was destroyed right at valley peak, then it started again on (on) the other side of the valley,” Mentuck told the Sun.
Waywayseecappo is located about 150 kilometres northwest of Brandon.
After the storm passed, community members put temporary tarps over the roofs of homes for the night.
The Canadian Red Cross also received a request Monday evening to assist Waywayseecappo.
“The Canadian Red Cross, on behalf of the federal government, is supporting residents of Waywayseecappo First Nation whose homes have reportedly been damaged by a severe weather event earlier today,” read a press release.
“Working with the leadership of the First Nation, the Red Cross is supplying lodging and food for the evening in the community of Russell for those individuals who have been displaced.”
Agencies/Canadajournal