A severe storm hit Prince Edward Island in the afternoon, bringing strong winds, hail, heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. The storm passed through Charlottetown around 1:40 p.m., causing power outages for numerous Maritime Electric customers, mainly in Charlottetown.
According to CBC meteorologist Ryan Snodden, central and eastern areas of the province experienced extreme weather conditions. Slow-moving thunderstorms led to intense rainfall, gusty winds, and localized hail, with radar estimates showing rainfall rates of up to 50 mm/h.
There were indications of a possible tornado near Souris in eastern P.E.I., as captured in a video submitted to CBC News showing trees being lifted into the air and a visible funnel over the water. Witnesses, like Brielle Campbell from Little Harbour near Souris, described seeing spinning clouds and chaotic weather patterns during the storm.
Residents, such as Blair Chapman, also witnessed shrubs and trees being uprooted and tossed around by the storm. The unpredictable nature of the storm included alternating heavy rain, sunshine, and sudden downpours.
Charlottetown police issued warnings about localized flooding in the city, urging caution for drivers. Certain areas like Sherwood and Parkdale experienced street closures due to flooding, leading some businesses and facilities like the sports center at UPEI to shut down temporarily.
Snodden advised that the risk of severe thunderstorms would persist into the evening, particularly in the eastern half of the Island.
