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Mitchell Street in Redcliff (CHAT News Photo/Colton McKee)
Stay Safe!

High winds causing havoc in Medicine Hat and area

Jan 13, 2021 | 11:10 AM

UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: The city says power to all residential customers has been restored. The weather continues to hamper efforts to make repairs to damaged infrastructure, but crews are working as fast as possible with a focus on public and worker safety.

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UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: The city confirms there power outages affecting 2,890 customers and severe weather damage including multiple downed power poles, trees and lights, broken wires, and objects caught in power lines. Establishing safety in the affected areas are the first priority.

The damage is still being assessed, says the city currently does not have time for power to be restored.

Another rig has overturned in the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada at RR 40. The driver suffered minor injuries.

The county deputy fire chief says for big rigs to be extremely cautious.

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MEDICINE HAT, AB – High winds that reached 91 km/h in Medicine Hat are causing havoc in the city and the surrounding area today. According to Environment Canada, wind speeds in Barnwell reached 137 km/h.

Residents have been updating power outages and other wind-related issues on our Facebook page.

At about 11 a.m. Medicine Hat police reported a semi-truck and trailer has been blown over and the westbound Trans-Canada Highway is down to one lane.

Police are on the scene at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and 54th Street SE, the site of the old Ross Creek Par 3 Golf Course. The truck and trailer is resting in the east ditch of the Trans-Canada Highway, say police.

The highway has been reopened.

The City of Medicine Hat says it has reallocated all resources to respond to the wind event.

On Facebook, Medicine Hat Fire Fighters say crews are responding to multiple emergencies around the city due to the high winds.

A Shelter-in-Place order is in effect for the Medicine Hat Public School Division. They are planning for a safe dismissal at the end of the day, if possible.

Submitted Photo
Submitted Photo