Aftermath of severe windstorm felt across Saskatchewan

A strong low-pressure system brought heavy winds across Sask., causing power outages, dust storms and driving rain in multiple areas. Jacob Carr reports.

Dust clouds and nearly zero visibility on Highway 13 outside of Weyburn, as well as fallen trees in Regina, were just a few symptoms of a severe windstorm that swept through the southern part of Saskatchewan on Thursday.

According to Desirae Legler, who was driving through the dust on Highway 13, drivers had to turn their hazard lights on so others could see them in broad daylight.

Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Danielle Desjardins said that in many places, the wind gusts exceeded 100 km/h during the height of the storm.

“The strongest from our stations was reported at Rocanville, 115 kilometres an hour at maximum wind gusts, other areas experienced well over 100, Climax at 109 kilometres an hour. Milestone at 107,” she said.

The wind caused dust storms and damaged trees in some areas, including Regina, where gusts reached just under 100 km/h.

Local ice cream shop Elle’s Cafe had to close down temporarily due to a tree falling and breaking a section of their fence.

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The storm also left thousands in the province without power, according to SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry.

“We had more than 100,000 customers in Saskatchewan that had an outage at some point during the wind event,” he said. “In Regina alone, about 50,000 customers had an outage at some point. So, it was a pretty significant and extensive event.”

SaskPower crews had to work through the night to repair transmission structures damaged by the high winds.

While Desjardins said the severe weather has passed, there are still aftereffects that should be taken into consideration as storm season ramps up.

“When we are travelling at those high wind speeds on highways, especially any high profile vehicle, is at risk of being overturned and, so that causes a hazard as well when driving,” she said.

As of Friday afternoon, power had been restored to the majority of customers in the south.