Kenora cleaning up after storm rips through Ontario, Manitoba

A tree is seen broken in half after a storm ripped through the Caddy Lake area near the Manitoba-Ontario border on July 6, 2026. (Daryl Bisset)

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.

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 operations.

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

“Motorists are advised to avoid areas with standing water and to use alternate routes whenever possible. Please drive cautiously and obey all road closure signs, barricades, and traffic control.”