© QMI Agency / Darren MakowichukA massive thunderstorm that dropped a tornado near Sundre, Alta., hovers just west of Olds causing strong winds that knocked over numerous trees before heading north towards Red Deer on Thursday July 7, 2011
A tornado warning was in effect for the area from just after 5 p.m. until around 9:15 p.m. when the main storm began to dissipate over Red Deer.
It was still a tornado as it moved towards Red Deer, but it dissipated quickly over the area," said Stuart McKay with Alberta Environment. "There were several fairly thin tornadoes, but we have received reports of damage, including significant wind and hail damage across the area.
The first touched down near Bergen around 4:40 p. m, the second near town of Olds around 5:55 p.m., then a third at 8 p. m near Bowden and a fourth was spotted by RCMP west of Innisfail just after 8 p.m., said McKay.
"There were probably eight to 10 counties, countless communities, under tornado warning from Sundre to Red Deer," said McKay.
But many were downgraded to severe thunderstorm warnings just after 9:30 p.m., and then the warnings ended completely just before 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, Mother Nature is about to unleash rain over Edmonton.
"This weekend is expected to be the most significant rainfall of the season in Alberta," said Cara Tobin with Alberta Environment. "From Friday to Saturday we expect a lot of rain to fall, mostly in the Grande Prairie area, but also quite a bit over Edmonton."
Officials are urging residents to keep an eye out for flood advisories, especially in Grande Prairie, Peace River, Slave Lake, Swan Lake and Edson.
"Those areas will be hit the hardest, and face the highest risk of flooding," said Tobin.
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