Severe thunderstorm warnings ended for parts of southeastern Manitoba

Severe thunderstorm warnings have ended in parts of southeastern Manitoba that were previously under a tornado warning on Monday afternoon, Environment Canada says.

The severe thunderstorm warning cameas meteorologists tracked a line of severe thunderstorms stretching from Elma and Prawda to the international border and moving east at 60 km/h, the weather agency said in an alert.

Those storms had the potential tobring wind gusts over 100 km/h and quarter-sized hail.

"Our slogan is when it roars, go indoors, so follow that," Natalie Hasell, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC's Up to Speedhost Faith Fundal on Monday, before the warnings ended.

"Get there as quickly as you can, stay there as long as necessary, which is typically 30 minutes after the last rumble."

Environment Canada's alert included reminders that large hail can damage property and cause injury, and that strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.

Hasell added people should also avoid using a cellphone while it's plugged in to charge, and to avoid using landline phones or computers that are plugged in.

She said anyone who encounters a storm while driving should seek shelter if possible.

If not, they should pull off the road, get out of their vehicle and find a low-lying area to wait in to reduce their risk of being injured by lightning or flying debris. However, she said to avoid lying in ditches, which are designed to fill up quickly with water.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for sections of south-central and southeastern Manitoba as of 7:45p.m.