Tornado destroys four buildings on Rocky Mountain House farm, damages 40+ homes

A tornado ripped through Rocky Mountain House and parts of Clearwater County on Saturday evening, destroying multiple buildings and damaging at least 40 homes across the region.

On a farm near Rocky Mountain House, Bryn Hansen was feeding cows around 6 p.m. when the sky appeared clear. After going inside for supper, the weather took a dramatic turn. Heavy rain and hail lashed the homestead, forcing Hansen and his grandparents to shelter in the basement as the tornado struck.

"It came out of nowhere," Hansen said Monday. "We could hear the wind whirring outside." By 6:40 p.m., it was over. Four of the six buildings on the lot were destroyed, including the roof of their home. No one was injured, and the farm animals escaped unharmed.

Emergency crews, Alberta Forestry, Clearwater County, and Town of Rocky Mountain House public works teams worked to clear debris, restore access, and address immediate safety concerns. Residents were asked to avoid affected areas, use caution on roadways, and stay clear of downed trees and power lines.

Hansen's family moved quickly into cleanup, tearing down damaged structures and uncovering vehicles buried in debris. His grandparents have lived at the farm since the mid-1970s and are well-established in the local community. The day after the tornado, around 50 people showed up to help with cleanup efforts.

A GoFundMe launched to help the Hansens repair their farm had raised more than $6,000 by Monday at noon. Clearwater County said a full damage assessment would be completed in the coming days, with more information and resources for residents to follow.