By CHAT News Today

Multiple power outages across city and Redcliff due to weather

Oct 2, 2017 | 11:12 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The City of Medicine Hat is dealing with multiple power outages in Medicine Hat and Redcliff due to the winter weather.

According to a post on Facebook, “multiple primary lines” have caused outages in the northeast and southeast areas of the city, along with Tower Estates and parts of Redcliff. All available crews are out working to restore electricity to affected customers. At least 3,700 customers were without power at 

Shortly after 1 p.m., the city restored power to the Flats, Terrace View and most of Ranchlands.

The city landfill has closed due to a power outage. 

According to SD76, Crescent Heights High School, Vincent Massey School, Webster Niblock School and Elm Street School have lost electricity due to the weather, but remained open. The Family Leisure Centre was also closed briefly due to a power outage, but will reopen at noon.

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The Medicine Hat Regional Hospital was at one point running on the back up generator, but it eventually returned to the city’s power grid.

In Prairie Rose, Jenner School and Schuler School were both closed due to the road conditions, and bus routes to those schools were not running. Four bus routes to Irvine were not running, along with a bus route from Buffalo to Oyen. The school division began sending buses to its open schools in the afternoon th pick up students.

As for the Catholic Board of Education, St. Louis School and St. Michael’s School both lost power Monday morning,

The city asks residents to report any downed lines by calling 403-529-8260. Electric crews will be dispatched as soon as they are able to and it is safe to do so. The city asks residents to stay at least 10 metres away from downed lines or trees.

The travel situation on roads inside and outside the city has been made difficult due to traffic lights in the city going out along the Trans-Canada Highway, as well as intersections inside Medicine Hat.

CHAT News has also received word of gas stations unable to pump fuel due to lack of power.

Outside the city, travel along Highway 1 and secondary highways has been significantly impacted by the weather. From Tilley to Calgary in the eastbound lanes, Highway 1 is snow covered and icy. There has been a report of a semi-truck in the ditch near Tilley, off the eastbound lanes, as well as a single-vehicle accident near Strathmore in the westbound lanes.

Travel is not recomended along Highway 9 from Beiseker to Drumheller, with a number of vehicles in the ditch.

As of 11:20 a.m., Highway 1 from Bassano to Calgary was shut down. There is no word on when that closure will lift.

UPDATE: The Prairie Rose School Division will be sending buses early to pick up students due to the weather.

“Parents who are not going to be home to meet the bus should contact the school to make other arrangements, reads a statement from the division.

“Elementary students will not be dropped off unless a parent confirms drop off with the bus driver. Parents with elementary students who live in town and walk to school will be contacted directly by the school to make arrangements for student release. If you have any questions about the release of your child please contact the school.”

The early release does not apply to schools in the northern part of the division, including Oyen, Schuler, Warren Peers and New Brigden.

Highway 3 from Medicine Hat to Taber has also been closed, according to the provincial government, and a multi-vehicle accident just south of Vauxhall has shut down Highway 36 in that area.