Several structures damaged after tornado passes through part of central Alberta hamlet

Several structures damaged after tornado passes through part of central Alberta hamlet

Weather appears to have caused 'significant damage,' Northern Tornadoes Project says

A tornado that passed through the east-central Alberta hamlet of Tulliby Lake damaged several structures, oil sites and local vegetation, according to county officials.

In a social media post just after midnight on Sunday, the County of Vermilion River said no injuries had been reported to officials at the time of posting.

At around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, an Alberta Emergency Alert was issued for the county after Environment Canada posted a red tornado warning. The alert, which was cancelled around 6 p.m. Saturday, said caution should be exercised in Dewberry, Tulliby Lake, Onion Lake and the Makaoo (Part) 120 First Nation.

"This is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation," the Environment Canada warning read.

County officials also said early Sunday that energy operator ATCO indicated power outages were affecting residents. As of 10 a.m. Sunday, no outstanding outages in the region are shown on ATCO's online power outage map.

The Northern Tornadoes Project, based out of Western University in London, Ont., confirmed the "supercell tornado" near Tulliby Lake in a social media post.

"The confirmation is based on multiple photos and videos, including imagery from an OTUS Project drone, as well as radar imagery," the group said.

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency and the Northern Tornadoes Project have been notified of the weather event and are investigating, County of Vermilion River officials said.

Tulliby Lake is around 60 kilometres northwest of Lloydminster.