Twister touches down on Lake Manitoba

A cattle rancher on the west side of Lake Manitoba is glad she kept an eye on the sky Wednesday night, after securing photos of a water spout on the lake.

Lacey Follensbee said she was working outside at her home near Cayer — between Eddystone and Crane River — around 8:30 p.m., when she saw a funnel cloud.

"As intriguing as it is to watch them, I am definitely glad it was across the lake and not right above me," she said Thursday.

She watched through the zoom lens on her camera as the funnel went up and down on the east side of the lake before stretching to the ground.

"It was hard to confirm if it was actually on the ground or not, but there was definitely dust kicking up," she said. "Soon after, it seemed to slowly thin out and eventually, it disappeared back into the clouds."

Environment Canada meteorologist Blaine Lowry confirmed the twister, noting that because it touched down on a lake it's a water spout, not a tornado.

He said officals haven't received any reports of damage.

"If it was just a brief touchdown over the water, chances of damage are fairly unlikely," Lowry said.

A tornado warning was issued Thursday night for the Arborg, Hecla, Fisher River, Gypsumville and Ashern areas.

It was lifted a short time later, but not before Manitoba Storm Chasers snapped a picture of a funnel cloud about eight kilometres west of Camper. It's not clear if it touched down.

Severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect Thursday evening.

Anyone who sees a funnel cloud, hears a roaring sound, or sees swirling or flying debris, should take cover, going indoors to the lowest floor away from outside walls and windows, Environment Canada said.

Last year, an EF-4 tornado struck the Alonsa area, killing 77-year-old Jack Furrie.

Manitoba's first tornado of 2019 touched down in May, near Letellier.

tvanderhart@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @tessavanderhart