Tornado-producing storm barrels through Manitoba, heads east to Ontario

A storm that produced at least threetornadoes on Wednesday has passed through Manitobaand is moving into western Ontario.

As of 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday, all severe weather warnings had ended forManitoba. While the storm system continues to move at about 50 kilometres per hour, it isweakening, Environment Canada said.

Thefederal agency received reports of three separate tornadoes in parts of southwestern Manitoba, but it is still trying to confirm those.

It has confirmed at least one, whichtouched down near Long Plain First Nation, southwest of Portage la Prairie.

Long Plain ChiefDennisMeechessaid the storm caused "extensive damage" in the community of 2,400 people.Roofs were blown off houses, trees uprooted and some homes were separated from their foundations and moved a few feet, he said.

"The wind was pretty strong and the rain came down hard," saidMeeches.

There are no reported injuries in Long Plain, but neighbours are checking oneachother to make sure everyone is safe, the chiefsaid. Band members are working to find residents of damaged homes temporary accommodations.

The severe storm system, which also produceda large swath of damaging straight-line winds, continued east, knocking down hydro lines and damaging trees in its path.In Portage la Prairie, the winds ripped trees out of the ground and swiped shingles off homes.

Wind gusts in PortageSouthportwere at least 122 km/h, Environment Canada said.

Jack Walder lives about 20 kilometres south of the city and said the storm was "wicked."

"There's hundreds of trees down. I actually see trees on buildings at myneighbour'shouse," he said.

"The lane is totally covered with big trees that went down ... Never seen this in my lifetime."

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In Winnipeg, strong straight-line winds flipped the roof off an apartment complex onSinclairStreet. Falling trees and hydro lines were reported across the city.

The main threats of this storm system are damaging winds, large hailthe size of softballs, lots of lightning and torrential rain, saidCBC'sJohnSauder.

"This is a very dangerous weather system," he said.

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Saudersaid it's unlikely the storm will continue to produce tornadoes, but straight-line winds can be just as dangerous as weak tornadoes.

Residents should take shelter if they hear thunder or if they are in the path of the storm, he said.