On a scale of zero to five, Manitoba twister bad but it could have been worse

VIRDEN, Man. – A massive tornado that struck western Manitoba this week has been given an preliminary rating which puts it in the category of large and violent, but not the worst that nature can serve up.

Environment Canada says the twister that roared through the Virden region near the Saskatchewan boundary Monday evening was of the high-end EF2 variety.

Such tornadoes can pack wind speeds ranging from 179 kilometres an hour to 218 kilometres an hour— capable of lifting cars, ripping out trees and damaging roofs.

Monday’s vortex stayed on the ground between two and a half to three hours and caused extensive property damage, although no one was killed or injured.

Environment Canada is still assessing the tornado’s path as it gathers data for a final report on the storm.

EF stands for Enhanced Fujita scale and runs from zero to five, with five being a twister that can pack a wind in excess of 322 kilometres an hour.

A June 2007 tornado that struck near the community of Elie, west of Winnipeg, was rated as a devastating EF5, but no one was injured. (CJOB, The Canadian Press)