Tornadoes ruined Canada Day weekend celebrations at a northern Saskatchewan campground, forcing campers to relocate and causing extensive damage to the area.
Earlier this week, Environment Canada investigators confirmed that two tornadoes touched down around the Murray Doell Campground, with wind speeds reaching up to 175 kilometres per hour.
Over 100 families were forced to evacuate Meadow Lake Provincial Park over the weekend when the tornadoes struck. CBC News reported that while the storm was strong enough to tear down trees, only three people were reported injured.
With the tornadoes gone, some families have been allowed back into the campsites to salvage whatever belongings they left behind.
Park manager Trevor Finlay said that dozens of trees, which were weakened by Saturday’s storm, finally toppled due to winds on Monday.
“We’re trying to remove them. It also creates some safety issues getting in and out,” Finlay told CBC News.
Over 30 campsites in Meadow Lake Provincial Park remain inaccessible due to the amount of debris blocking the way. Efforts to clean up the mess earlier this week were hindered due to periodic rains and wind.
Finlay added that it could take several days before the initial removal of debris is complete. The campsite will remain closed indefinitely.
