Local news delivered daily to your email inbox. Subscribe for FREE to the rdnewsNOW newsletter.

Brazeau County declares state of disaster due to Breton tornado

Sep 7, 2017 | 3:24 PM

Brazeau County Council has declared a state of disaster for the area affected by the July tornado, kicking off a process to get relief from the province.

Currently there is no cost estimate for the damages caused by the storm, but 21 residents have come forward after being impacted by the tornado. Some residents have reported damage to their homes and outbuildings, the loss of livestock and destroyed trees and fencing.

One man, Jeff Gresham, lost a couple of sheds on his property as well as damage to the roof of his home. Even with insurance, Gresham told council he’ll be forced to pay over $30,000 out of his own pocket to pay for some of the damages his property sustained. 

The county has declared states of disaster for floods, droughts and fires, but this is the first time it has occured for a tornado. 

“I have been at the county for over 20 years, and this is the first time we’ve ever declared a disaster for a tornado,” says Brazeau County Executive Assistant Tina Kwirant.

The EF1 tornado touched down near the community of Breton on July 13, packing wind speeds between 135 and 175 kilometres per hour.

Council also authorized funding for aerial reconnaissance of the damaged areas, if it is necessary. The county is currently in talks with Alberta Environment in hopes of getting footage from them, after they flew drones around the affected areas after the storm.

The county is urging anyone who was affected by the tornado to contact the Director of Emergency Management Merlin Klassen at 780-542-7777.