Kenora cleaning up after storm rips through

Violent thunderstorms hit eastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario on Monday. Harrison Shin tours the area as it cleans up.

A storm that ripped through areas in Manitoba and Ontario has left behind significant damage.

Areas of Whiteshell Provincial Park all the way to Kenora and surrounding communities were hit by an afternoon storm Monday that brought a lot of rain and strong winds.

Chloe Katsademas, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said hail was reported on the Manitoba side of the storm, reaching nickel to loonie-sized hail, along with heavy rain and strong winds.

In Kenora, she said the city received 94 millimetres of rain. Of that, 50 mm of rain fell in one hour in the city.

Early Monday afternoon, ECCC issued a tornado warning for multiple areas in Ontario, including Kenora, Fort Frances, and Sioux Narrows.

Katsademas said there have been no reports yet of a tornado developing.

“Northern Tornadoes Project is investigating further, and they should be surveying the area later today and then will be producing a report,” she said.

The aftermath of the storm is being felt, with pictures coming into CTV News showing toppled and broken trees on the Manitoba side of the border in Caddy Lake.

‘We’re very devastated’

The City of Kenora said it has been receiving a high volume of calls regarding flooding, sewer backups, washed-out roads, downed trees and drainage issues.

Residents are being asked to submit non-emergency issues online.

“At this time, response efforts are focused on assessing and repairing critical municipal infrastructure and addressing public safety concerns,” the city said.

Crews are currently dealing with blocked catch basins, flooded roads and low-lying areas, downed trees and wastewater operation issues.

People who have experienced flooded basements or sewer backups are being told to contact their insurance providers.

Alannah Mendowegan is one of the residents trying to figure out the next steps as she said water spilled into her basement Monday.

“Our basement flooded 37 inches,” said Mendowegan. “Up to my waist.”

She said the water started to flood in through the shower drain and toilet. It caused one of the walls in her basement to collapse.

“The water washed out our driveway and there’s a big hole on the side of our house.”

To make matters worse, Mendowegan said they had moved a lot of belongings into the basement as they were preparing for some renovations upstairs.

“We’re very devastated that we lost all of our belongings.”

For now, she said all they can do is focus on the cleanup efforts and wait for next steps with insurance.

Tuesday afternoon, the city said Rabbit Lake Trail in Garrow Park was closed temporarily because of the damage to parts of the trail.

“The trail will remain closed while assessment and repair work is carried out.”

Part of the fencing around the pickleball court in the park was also damaged during the storm and the city said until it is fixed, the court will operate at “reduced capacity.”