Storm chaser films tornado and it’s way too close to comfort
This is the moment a thrill-seeking weather watcher got within yards of a huge tornado that destroyed homes in Canada.
A severe thunderstorm produced the tornado that happened on Saturday in Alberta, according to local weather officials.
Forecasters warned of large hail and damaging winds as the supercell thunderstorm destroyed buildings, caused injuries and killed animals.
Environment and Climate Change Canada, the country’s national weather agency, issued emergency alerts for the storm and said it said was producing a tornado, damaging winds, large hail and intense rainfall.
But one man decided to ignore the warnings and got as close to the twister as possible.
‘Storm chaser’ Aaron Jayjack posted the terrifying video that shows the huge tornado gathering pace in the background as he is blasted by the high winds.
It created a large wedge formation that ripped up debris and dirt along its route.
Meteorologists said: ‘This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation…Tornado warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing tornadoes.’
Allan O’Brien had just finished up a round of golf when he spotted the tornado off in the distance.
The Alberta resident safely recorded a video of the monstrous twister and said it was a sight he’d never seen before.
Mr O’Brien said he’s lived in the region for decades, but it has only been during the last few years that he’s noticed an uptick in weather activity.
‘We really only started getting this kind of active weather in the last five years,’ he said. ‘There was a tornado in Pine Lake, Alberta, when I was in high school, but the last five years have seen an increase in tornado activity.’
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it was aware of the emergency situation in Alberta and had reports of injuries and damage, but it didn’t yet know how extensive they were.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged residents to stay safe.
He said: ‘To those who were injured by the tornado near Didsbury, Alberta, and to those whose homes have been damaged: Canadians are here for you, and we are keeping you in our thoughts.’
According to deputy mayor of Carstairs Dr. Dean Allan, at least 14 homes were damaged by the tornado and five of those were completely destroyed.
He said a woman was trapped in her basement while he home was destroyed above her, and she received minor injuries. Livestock in the area was also killed, Allan added.
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