A number of roads in the southeast corner of the province are closed Sunday morning as another blast of winter is creating havoc in that corner of Saskatchewan yet again. The Trans-Canada is closed from Whitewood to the Manitoba border. Highway 9 is also closed from Whitewood to Carlyle. Highway 8 from Moosomin to the U.S. border is also reporting closed on the Highway Hotline. A winter storm warning is in place for several communities in the area including Estevan, Moosomin, Carlyle and Weyburn. Environment Canada says the winter storm should wind down Sunday morning. As the Colorado low pulls away from the area, the snow rate should ease.
Meanwhile the snowstorm caused a power outage affecting hundreds of thousands of customers in the southeast overnight. Late Saturday night, SaskPower said on Twitter that updates on estimated times to restore power will be provided when crews are able to assess damage. Hazardous wind conditions caused crews to stand down overnight into Sunday morning. Game 2 of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League final in Estevan was delayed last night due to a pair of power outages, but the game eventually got on, with the Bruins winning 2-0 to take a 2-0 series lead over the Flin Flon Bombers.
SaskPower issued a statement late Sunday morning:
SaskPower crews are currently conducting a comprehensive damage assessment following a powerful spring storm that hit the province’s southeast corner. High winds and precipitation have caused significant damage in the region, knocking power out to customers from as far southeast as the US-Manitoba border and as far north as the Broadview area. As of 7:30 a.m., 24,460 customers are without power.
Road conditions and high wind gust speeds are slowing restoration efforts, as work can only be completed when its safe to do so. Crews, equipment, and materials are on standby in a number of areas to begin assessing damage once conditions improve enough to have crews deployed safely. Additional crews are en route from neighbouring districts to assist with the restoration.
Several larger transmission lines have sustained damage, causing widespread outages in the region. SaskPower will be utilizing helicopter patrols to conduct an aerial assessment of the damage.
Customers are reminded to stay back a safe distance from downed power lines. If anyone should come across a downed or damaged power line, they should remain back at least 10 metres (33 feet) and call the SaskPower Outage Centre at 310-2220. In an emergency, call 911.
Due to the scale of the damage sustained from this storm, and the weather slowing crews from conducting repairs, some customers could remain without power for an extended period of time. SaskPower thanks its customers for their patience and understanding while crews address the significant damage following this powerful storm.
(with files from CKRM)
