Major damage in Eston, Sask. after powerful Sunday storm

People in Eston, Sask. are recovering after a storm tore roofs off of homes and downed power lines on Sunday evening.

Photos shared by residents showed destroyed homes, and debris strewn across lawns shortly after a powerful system moved through the area, located approximately 70 kilometres southwest of Rosetown.

Environment Canada meteorologist Mike McDonald said without a doubt, Eston was the hardest hit location in the province.

“Horrendous winds estimated at over 100 km/h,” he said, noting a reporting station was not set up in the area. “Along with reports of toonie-sized hail and ping pong (ball)-sized hail in that area. That was certainly the hardest hit area.”

The storm prompted the town to tweet out a warning during the maelstrom around 9:30 p.m., warning people to stay in their homes unless they needed help.

14JUL19: 9:30pm RCMP is asking the public to please stay home and shelter in place unless you are in need of immediate assistance. Residents of 8th Ave should stay inside their home to protect themselves from flying debris.

— Town Of Eston (@TownOfEston) July 15, 2019

Eston Chief Administrative Officer Jody Schmidt told 650 CKOM the town was mostly without power. SakPower did not have a restoration timeline, but began  accessing damage and undergoing repairs Monday around 8:30 a.m.

Just made it into Eston, and this overturned trailer is one of the first things I come across. People say it was an intense storm. One man told me he didn't have time for an interview because he has to replace windows and find a bed for his daughter. #skstorm pic.twitter.com/vC2flMGrWe

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) July 15, 2019

Some streets were also closed off due to damage and localized flooding.

McDonald said the vicious winds were most likely not the work of a tornado.

“We didn’t get any confirmation from anybody in the area that they saw a funnel cloud, we didn’t see any pictures or video of it,” he said. “The only video we seen was some straight line winds that caused a lot of damage.”

As of 8:30 a.m. Sunday there was no final count on the number of homes damaged or whether there were any injuries.

On the west edge of Eston, their small airport is in tatters. A camper was smashed to bits, the first hanger a pile of twisted metal. Power lines look worse for wear too. #skstorm pic.twitter.com/P2Q7EhP0OC

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) July 15, 2019

Eston has a population of 1,061 people, according to the 2016 Census.