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RCMP locate missing hiker believed to have been caught in Meadow Lake storm

WATCH: Cleanup is under way as a severe storm swept through Murray Doell Campground in Meadow Lake Provincial Park on Saturday, destroying several campers and uprooting many more trees. – Jun 30, 2019

UPDATE: RCMP said they have located the missing hiker and that the hiker is in good health.

RCMP are looking for a missing hiker after a severe storm tore through the Meadow Lake area on Saturday.

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A search and rescue operation is underway and police are expected to provide an update on Sunday.

ABOVE: Environment Canada investigating possible tornado at northern Saskatchewan campground

Three individuals have been taken to hospital and STARS confirmed one was a 64-year-old woman. She was transported to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

The storm the hit shortly before 5 p.m. destroying several campers and took down large swaths of trees at Murray Doell Campground in Meadow Lake Provincial Park.

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“This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” Genia Aasen told Global News.

Aasen’s family had just arrived at the campground Friday to begin a 10-day stay.

“All of the sudden, the trees started bending and one of them snapped off,” Aasen said. “It looked like it was going to hit us right in the middle [of the] camper, our door snapped open and then our camper started rocking back and forth- then it started sliding about two feet from where it was parked.”

“It rocked for probably about seven minutes – until it finally calmed down enough for us to look outside – and when we finally did, everything was down- our gazebo, all of the trees around us,” Aasen said.

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Ashley Cross’s family stands in what’s left of the campground. Provided Photo / Ashley Cross

The family said their travel trailer was damaged but they were able to get their vehicle out and drive to their home in Cold Lake Saturday evening.

“[My kids] were screaming, they were terrified,” Aasen said. “It was pretty scary. We had to go home.”
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Other campers were not as lucky. As many as a 100 people in the area were evacuated to the nearby Village of Goodsoil.

Environment Canada said they received videos of nearby tornadoes, but could not confirm a tornado touched down in the park.

According to a statement by the Saskatchewan Government, emergency teams from the Ministry of Government Relations were sent to the area. They confirmed substantial damage and advised the public to avoid travelling through the area.

Those who were camping at the site have been taken to a local emergency shelter where they have access to food, water and first aid.

Sask Parks is working on identifying and recovering trailers, boats, campers and personal property.

SaskPower has turned off power in the areas impacted the most and are assessing further damage.

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