Overnight thunderstorms cause widespread power outages in Saskatoon

(Photo courtesy: Brad Gulka)

Overnight thunderstorms left widespread power outages across Saskatoon and crews were working Thursday morning to restore power.

The Saskatoon Fire Department says crews responded to 34 incidents related to the thunderstorm in a 90-minute period after the severe weather moved through the city shortly after midnight.

Fire crews dealt with multiple electrical hazards, including downed and arcing power lines. Firefighters also responded to several small fires caused by downed electrical lines.

The fire department says many areas of Saskatoon were without power as a result of damaged lines.

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However, no injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

“Crews have been mobilized and are actively assessing damage, identifying affected areas, and carrying out repairs as quickly and safely as possible,” Saskatoon Light & Power said in a news release Thursday morning. “Restoring power to customers remains our top priority, and crews will continue working until service is fully restored.”

The utility company provides electricity to over 60,000 properties in Saskatoon as well as owning and maintaining the city’s street light system.

It says the extent of the outages and any storm related damage could affect the amount of time until power is restored.

Residents were urged to use caution at intersections where traffic signals may not be working and to treat non-functioning traffic lights as four way stops.

Customers were also reminded to stay away from downed power lines and to report hazardous situations immediately.

“Assume all downed lines are energized and dangerous.”