Residents of Alberta remember 1987 tornado

When dark skies turn to hail, torrential rains and, ultimately, a tornado, the experience can stick in the minds of community members for years. This was the case in 1987, when an Category 4 tornado hit Edmonton, Alberta.

The Metro recently reported on the storm's anniversary, stating that the tornado was the first of its scale recorded in the province. Dan Kulak, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada said Alberta typically sees 12 tornadoes each year.

"But the intensity that Edmonton recorded in '87 is by any standards rare in Canada," Kulak said, quoted by the news source.

Some good did come from the incident, however, as the Metro reports that it resulted in upgraded tornado warning systems in the area.

According to Environment Canada, tornadoes are most common between May and September, and areas that are most likely to see this type of emergency disaster include southern Ontario, southwestern Quebec, Alberta and a span of land between southern Saskatchewan and Thunder Bay.

When emergencies and disasters strike and leave people without homes or food, the Canadian Red Cross is there to assist families in need. Individuals should contact their local Canadian Red Cross to learn more about disaster preparedness, and who to call in case they lose access to food, shelter or other necessities.