Tornado that hit Oklahoma resembles size of one that struck Elie, Man. in 2007

A soldier walks past the wreckage left when a tornado moved through Moore, Okla., Tuesday, May 21, 2013. (AP / Brennan Linsley)

U.S. weather officials confirmed Tuesday that a tornado that hit an Oklahoma community was an EF-5 twister, the most destructive type possible.

On Tuesday, authorities said 24 people were killed, including nine children, when the tornado hit the town of Moore on Monday.

Winnipegger Joseph Ranseth was in Oklahoma during the storm and was forced to seek shelter when it got close.

“It didn’t seem treacherous until it just started swirling and things got dark very quickly,” said Ranseth.

Fortunately, he and his partner were not injured.

In June 2007, Elie, Man. was also hit by a similar-size tornado, which destroyed several buildings and swept away homes.

"My house was clipped off. It was completely off its foundation,” said Jocelyne Godin.

Unlike Oklahoma, no injuries or deaths were reported in the tornado in Elie in 2007.

In the wake of the Elie tornado, the city of Steinbach started an early warning program called Storm Ready that uses citizen volunteers to keep an eye out for severe weather.

The volunteers report conditions back to Environment Canada and in the event of imminent danger they alert local media outlets. They say, however, they’d like another tool to have on hand.

“One thing we don’t have right now is sirens for warning people, which is something that we have been trying to get since the beginning of our program in 2009,” said Amy Ginn, a Storm Ready volunteer.

Environment Canada said about 10 tornadoes touch down in Manitoba every year.

Although they have a seasonal forecast, they say it can’t effectively predict how active this summer’s tornado season will be.

“Does it mean we’re going to have fewer storms or more storms or that the storms we get are going to be bigger or smaller? I don’t know. We don’t have a forecast that tells us that,” said Natalie Hasell, Environment Canada meteorologist.

She said the best thing people can do is have an emergency plan and be prepared to put it into place on extremely short notice. Officials suggest seeking shelter in a basement, or a room without windows. Those without a basement can also seek shelter in a bathroom's bathtub, advise officials. Officials said people should also be prepared to be without assistance for 72 hours.

According to scientists at the University of Manitoba, reports of tornadoes pick up in May and peak in June in the province. Statistically, the day most likely for a tornado to hit Manitoba is July 6 each year.

People wanting to donate to help those affected by the U.S. tornadoes can call the Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769 or go to its website or go to the Red Cross' website.