WINNIPEG – The top-of-scale EF-5 tornado in Moore, Okla., sent everyone scrambling for safety.
Winnipegger Joseph Ranseth was driving through Oklahoma Monday.
“There were 50 of us strangers cuddled up in shower stalls,” said Ranseth, who was in the southern United States for work.
While Ranseth tried to avoid the disastrous tornadoes, storm chaser Chris Stammers drove right to them.
“All that damage that was done was just awful, you never want to see that,” he said.
The EF-5 tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma brought back vivid memories for residents of Elie.
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“It was coming right in line for our house here,” said Steven Smart, who took cover in his basement back in 2007. “The skies start twisting, getting darker and all of a sudden you see some massive amount of funnel coming towards you. There’s got to be better warning systems.”
Weather warning systems in Canada pale in comparison to those south of the border.
Environment Canada says it does it’s best with what limited staffing it has.
That’s why forecasters also rely on what eye-witnesses see in the skies.
“Our network is good but its not that good,” said Natalie Hasell, with Environment Canada. “We cant tell what is happening in your back yard, or neighbourhood.”
Pelmorex, a national warning system is up and running in Canada .
It’s voluntary for TV and radio stations to sign on. Global News is a member.
“The reality is we need a national system and for it to be an effective national system it needs to be communicated through all media platforms,” said Steve Ashton, the minister responsible for emergency preparedness.
There is a push for the CRTC to make the system mandatory, but that won’t happen this storm season.
Environment Canada is reminding people to also have a plan if severe weather happens near you.
Knowing where a safe, secure place to ride out the storm is important if there isn’t much warning given.
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