The aftermath of the July 18, 2022 storm near Holsom Road. (Photo: Gates Guarin)

By Chris Brown / Gates Guarin

Families suffered “tremendous loss” in southeastern Alberta storm

Jul 20, 2022 | 9:54 AM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB – The heavy rain and strong winds came and went quickly in southeastern Alberta on Monday, July 18, 2022, leaving plenty of destruction behind. Environment Canada says it was not a tornado that touched down, but the damage is extensive.

Winds in Medicine Hat topped out at almost 100 kilometres per hour. Holsom Road between Range Road 72 and Range Road 74 was closed to the public Monday afternoon, but it has since reopened to residents who begin the almost impossible task of cleaning up and assessing the damage.

The area just west of the city was one of the hardest hit, with extensive damage to the roofs and siding of houses and surrounding property. Eddie Doehring has been living in the area for 45 years and describes the moment the storm hit.

“Went into the house and I was watching the rain coming sideways. You could barely see, it was all rain and hail,” Doehring says. “I went over into the dining, kitchen/dining area, and I was sitting there and I was going to call, and then the tree branch came right through my ceiling into my kitchen, and so I thought maybe I should go downstairs, but I couldn’t go downstairs because there was glass and tree branches and shrapnel flying around my laundry room, so I couldn’t get through there to get to the basement.”

Doehring says he had to brace himself between the two walls of his hallway in order to stay sheltered. His house sustained damage but is the only structure on his property left standing. Doehring’s tack shed had been flipped on its side, his tool shed now sits submerged in his dugout, and his barn and horse shelter were completely taken by the high winds. Doehring’s prized possessions, some 20-plus vintage cars, were heavily damaged as well.

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Amid the fallen trees and debris, Doehring says he doesn’t know where to begin. “I guess we got to get at it,” he says.

Just across the road, Dan Jackson’s farm was also in the direct path of the storm. The amount of damage is almost too difficult to grasp.

“Here we lost a shop, a barn, a 50 by 120 Quonset, and over a hundred thousand bushels of grain storage,” Jackson says. “And numerous equipment damage, because it destroyed everything it went through.”

Jackson was in town when the storm initially hit, but by the time he had reached his property, he only had the safety of his family in mind.

“It was a real relief,” Jackson says. “None of us were injured and we’re all safe and sound, and that’s the biggest asset.”

Officials in Cypress County are continuing to assess damages and determine the next steps.

Cypress County CAO Tarolyn Aaserud says, because of the wide area affected, mapping and data gathering are expected to take until at least Wednesday afternoon. Many vehicles, outbuildings, and homes were damaged, in addition to livestock losses.

Aaserud says 15 people registered with the county’s emergency reception centre on Monday and three families stayed in accommodations overnight through a partnership with the Canadian Red Cross. Any other displaced residents can call the Cypress County office at 403-526-2888 for assistance.

The county is also assisting by placing waste bins near the affected area and that the Seven Persons transfer site is open for additional hours.

Aaserud said the best way to support the families is by respecting their privacy as they begin to rebuild their lives and being willing to help if the families reach out.

The devastation on Eddie Doehring’s property off Highway 523 (Photo: CHATNewsToday)

READ MORE: Extreme weather whips through Medicine Hat area, homes destroyed