by PAUL RAYNER

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Farms north of Boissevain did not escape unscathed when a major storm passed through Southwestern Manitoba on Saturday, June 23.

While the evening activities at the Boissevain Fair were ongoing, nasty clouds were brewing serious problems. Within Boissevain, small funnel clouds were sighted, as well as at least one swirling vortex. However, it was north of town that the storm hit in full force.

In what was reported as a system passing from Pipestone to Pilot Mound, at least one if not more tornadoes touched down, including in our area. According to reports, the tornado was a F3, which means winds were from 253 to 330 kms an hour. In some cases, damage was extensive.

Kevin and Myrna Houston, who live about three miles south and three miles east of Minto in the Southwest corner of the RM of Whitewater, were at home during the storm. Kevin Houston said it hit between 9 and 9:30 p.m., admitting that looking at the clock was not the number one priority at the time.

“It was this big wall of water,” Houston said, “hitting the windows sideways. It was like a white out in winter. The branches were hitting the windows. It lit up for a while and you could see the hydro lines were down. Then it hit again and more intense. It was just black to the northwest.”

He estimated the full force of the storm hit for about five to ten minutes. Although not long in actual time, it was long enough to do serious damage.

“It is easier to say what was not damaged.”

The Houston’s losses included one machine shed, steel bins completely destroyed, and trees uprooted. Sheeting and shingles were also gone from the house. He said he was amazed no windows were broken. It was a strong storm, even sucking water out of the toilets. He spoke to an official from Environment Canada, who confirmed at was a tornado.

“There was a fair bit of force,” he said, “especially when you see the damage. It set some things down and they weren’t broken. There was a 12-ft by 12-ft barn door taken and just set down. We were out fixing the fence, and signs and metal siding twisted that just looked like what you would do when you crinkled up tin foil.”

They were thankful for offers of help and the fine work Manitoba Hydro did getting the power back on. Initially, they were told it would take two or three days, but power was restored after shortly more than 24 hours. Power in Boissevain began to be restored early on Sunday morning. In some areas, it was still out by mid-week.

As bad as the damage was, Houston said he was pleased the outcome was not worse.

“There’s nothing you can do about the weather,” he stated. “First of all, you go downstairs. I guess we’re all thankful nobody got hurt. We didn’t hear about any major injuries across the whole path.”

The storm hit many different farmyards east to west. At Muriel McCallum’s, damage included house, bins and shelterbelt. At Harvey Creek’s, there was extensive wind damage and the Fire Department was called due to smoke in the home. Harvey Kyle lost a barn and had damage to other buildings, while Russell Glover suffered extensive tree damage and damage to cattle shelters, while Les and Lorraine Houston lost shed bins and had serious tree damage. House, yard and machinery damage was found at the Hildebrand brothers and Richard and Brenda Peters farms.

Blaine and Neta Mains were not at home during the storm, camping at Lake Adam at the time. They did not find out about their situation until they got a call on Sunday morning. When they came home, they saw the extent of the damage to their property six miles north of Boissevain.

Part of the roof was taken on the north end of the house, as well as a great number of shingles. One window was blown out and spread glass throughout the bedroom and down the hallway. Twelve metal grain bins were damaged and two gone, and three wooden ones taken, two of them dumped about a mile east. Nearly all of the fruit trees were twisted and gone and considerable damage to the shelterbelt was done. A tree also took out the front window of Neta’s car. In fact, the latest edition to the house, Blaine’s recently completed deck was pulled off and gone.

“He had just been working on it and it was gone,” Neta Mains said. “It pulled it right off the house.”

They had their machinery in brother Garry’s shed, which lost its roof, but there was no damage to the machinery.

She said they were lucky to not be around for the devastating event, and the community was fortunate for an annual celebration.

“This is a very scary situation, and we were very fortunate. A lot of people were at the fair, so that part of it worked out good.”

How supportive the overall community is was shown by the response, Neta stated. She said the Mennonite Disaster Service, organized through the Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church, was on hand by Sunday. A work party had the house shingled by supper time and Garry’s by dark.

“It was quite a day. All of the people in the community have been great. People bring food, have been volunteering hours for cleanup. You hear it from everyone else too. There is lots of help.”

Members of the Provincial Government have toured storm affected areas, and Manitoba EMO staff are presently working with municipal officials to assess damages.

So are the insurance representatives. According to Brian Clark of Clark and Son Agencies, he has already heard from several dozen clients. He said they take the details down from clients and fax them in to the insurance company, in this case Wawanesa. Adjusters come to look at the damage later.

“In a storm of this size,” Clark explained, “we would compile for a day, and then they would come in and adjust a group at a time. They will be coming in to assist the clients.”

By Monday, Clark himself had been busy. For example, he spent all day Sunday dealing with clients, starting shortly after six a.m.

“You have to get an idea of the magnitude. We want to let people know we are there.”

He said people have up to two years to claim for this type of situation, but added normally claims are handled fairly quickly. Even so, it can be a lengthy process, in particular to get contractors and supplies.

“For example,” he said, “with machine sheds, combines, damage to equipment, dealers often have to order things in. It can take several months.”

He added each case is individual, with some repair or replacement costs paid some getting a cash settlement. He also said policies themselves are a personal thing, with some choosing not to insure some parts of property. Tree damage is one area where insurance is often absent.

Damages can be extensive in ways people often do not realize.

“You can imagine a yard site. There is damage to the house, siding, etc. Then there is lawn furniture, barbecues, lawnmowers. Some outbuildings are fallen. It progresses from there.”

He said adjusters have contacted clients already, to see what needs are, and the rest will progress from there. Clark has seen this before, with the storm of 1994. Like everyone, he is thankful the damage has been limited to property, things that can be replaced.

“This is a time as insurance brokers when you can help someone. Some things take longer, but we still work at it.”

It takes time, as some parts of a yard take longer to replace than others.

“We will be waiting for the insurance,” said Kevin Houston. “It will be a multi-year thing. When you have trees gone, it could be a generation to fix it up totally. Cleanup could be measured in years.”