Storm downs trees, damages homes in Pigeon Lake community of Ma-Me-O Beach

Ma-Me-O Beach residents said the storm was brief, but fierce — wind gusts uprooted or or snapped dozens of massive trees in the lake community about an hour south of Edmonton.

Albertans were warned Tuesday conditions were prime for severe summer storm activity and now, residents of a community south of Edmonton are cleaning up after being hit by severe weather.

A storm swept through Ma-Me-O Beach on Pigeon Lake Tuesday night, downing trees – some of which landed on and damaged homes.

It was a hot, muggy evening and many residents said they were outside around suppertime enjoying the weather when all of a sudden the wind picked up drastically.

Sandra Wright said the force of the wind blew open her back door. She went to close it and an open window when her husband yelled out he saw a tree fall.

“It just landed on the roof with a big thump and vibrated the cabin a little bit,” Wright said.

Instead of coming off the waters of Pigeon Lake as usual, residents said the wind came from the opposite direction.

Residents said the storm was brief, but fierce, with wind gusts uprooting or snapping dozens of massive trees in the lake community about an hour south of Edmonton. (Scroll down to see photos.)

Wright said it it doesn’t appear their home suffered much damage, but they couldn’t tell what shape the roof was in from the ground.