A severe storm hit Prince Edward Island on Wednesday afternoon, bringing high winds, hail, rain, thunder, and lightning. Charlottetown experienced the storm at around 1:40 p.m., causing power outages for numerous Maritime Electric customers, primarily in Charlottetown.
Meteorologist Ryan Snodden from CBC described the weather as turbulent in central and eastern parts of the province. He noted slow-moving thunderstorms with intense rainfall, strong winds, and localized hail, with radar estimates showing rainfall rates reaching nearly 50 mm/h.
There were indications of a possible tornado near Souris in eastern P.E.I. A video shared with CBC News depicted trees being lifted into the air, with the tornado becoming visible as it moved over the water. Brielle Campbell, from Little Harbour near Souris, recounted witnessing the storm from her home, describing spinning clouds and chaotic conditions.
Residents like Blair Chapman also experienced extreme weather, with shrubs and trees uprooted and tossed around. The storm’s unpredictable nature brought heavy rain, sunny intervals, and sudden downpours, leading to localized flooding in Charlottetown. The police warned of flooding in certain areas, resulting in street closures and business shutdowns, including the closure of the sports center at UPEI.
The storm’s impact was captured in a video showing a dumpster floating in floodwaters on Exhibition Drive in Charlottetown. This incident highlighted the severity of the storm that swept through the city on Wednesday afternoon.
