Tornado causes 'significant damage' to parts of west-central Alberta county

A tornado that passed through parts of west-central Alberta Saturday resulted in "significant damage" to buildings, homes, trees, roads and other local infrastructure, according to county officials.

In a social media post on Sunday, Clearwater County said no injuries relating to the tornado have been reported.

An Alberta Emergency Alert was issued for the county, nearly 290 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, and the nearby Town of Rocky Mountain House around 5:20 p.m. Saturday, after Environment Canada posted a red tornado warning. The alert, which expanded to include additional municipalities, was later changed to a yellow advisory after 9 p.m.

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

The red tornado warning accounted for many parts of west-central Alberta and, over the alert's roughly four-hour lifespan, said caution should be exercised in Clearwater County, Rocky Mountain House, Crimson Lake, Ferrier, Codner, Alhambra, Leslieville, Leedale, Eckville, Half Moon Bay, Lacombe County, Ponoka County, Rimbey and Sunbreaker Cove.

The July 18 tornado in west-central Alberta caused 'significant damage,' but has not resulted in any reported injuries, according to Clearwater County officials. (Lina Elsaadi/CBC)

In a social media post on Saturday night, Jason Nixon, Alberta's finance minister who represents some of the affected areas as an MLA, thanked first responders for supporting clean-up efforts and ensuring residents are safe.

"Alberta’s government will be in close contact with both the county and the town as we work to clean up damage," he said.

The Northern Tornadoes Project flies a drone on July 19 while investigating the tornado near Clearwater County. (Nadeer Hashmi/CBC)

Crews are working to clear debris and address immediate safety concerns, said Clearwater County, noting that residents are asked to avoid affected areas, exercise caution while on roads and stay away from downed trees and power lines.

A full damage assessment of the region will be completed in the coming days, the county said.

Officials say crews are working to clear debris and address immediate safety concerns after a tornado passed through parts of Clearwater County on July 18. (Kevin Sabiston/CBC)

The Northern Tornadoes Project, based out of Western University in London, Ont., said in a social media post that it confirmed "at least one" tornado near Rocky Mountain House.

The group said its crews are set to investigate the tornado on Sunday.

Thumbnail courtesy of the Government of Alberta/Alberta 511.

The story was originally written by Iman Janmohamed and published for CBC News.