City Prepares for High Wind Event

Weather

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Saskatoon.

A very intense low pressure system is moving in from Alberta and passing through central Saskatchewan tonight.

Wind speeds in Saskatoon are expected to increase this afternoon from the southwest at 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.  This evening, the southwesterly wind is expected to increase to 50 Km/h gusting to 70 km/h.

The peak wind speeds in Saskatoon are forecast to occur between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., becoming westerly to northwesterly at 70 km/h gusting to 100 km/h -- with higher gusts possible.

The wind is expected to diminish to 50 km/h with gusting to 70 km/h.  Right now the wind is forecast to remain at that intensity for Wednesday morning and then easing toward evening.   

Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break.

Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.

Parks & Urban Forestry

The Parks Division is preparing Urban Forestry equipment and staff for potential tree damage.

Four Arborists will be on-call after hours between 4:30 p.m. tonight and 7:30 a.m. tomorrow for emergency work.

During the high wind event, the priority will be to assist only with tree clearing considered emergency work such as trees blocking emergency vehicles.

After the event, the priority will be to assess reported damage and respond on a priority basis to City trees that have failed and presenting potential danger to the public and trees blocking access to roadways and sidewalks.

Tree branches that have failed and are on the ground are less of a risk as compared to trees that are hanging over roadways and sidewalks.

Parks technicians assessing tree damage will be attaching bright orange “Storm Damage Assessment Notice” signs to trees that they have inspected.

These signs also say, “A Forestry Inspector has assessed this tree. Required work will be performed on a priority basis as staff and equipment become available".

As usual, everyone is advised to be cautious near trees in parks and around the city.

To report damage to City-owned trees that have failed and are blocking roadways and sidewalks, please call 306-975-2890 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After hours tree damage can be reported to the Saskatoon Customer Service line at 306-975-2476.

Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and brush that is cleared as a result of private trees obstructing public sidewalks or roadways will be left on the adjacent private property for the owner to clean up.

Any elm branches must be disposed of at the Saskatoon landfill.

Saskatoon Light & Power

Wind will continue to be the main challenge for the City’s power company over the next day.

To report a tree limb contacting or threatening a Saskatoon Light & Power service line, please call 306-975-2621.

For a SaskPower service line please call 306-310-2220.

Service Alerts with regular updates will be issued if outages occur. As always, they will provide information about the cause of the outage and the anticipated time for restoration. 

Roadways & Operations

Roadways and Operations will have night crews available for debris pick up on roads. The Customer Service Centre is available to receive calls and dispatch work around-the-clock.

Water & Waste Stream

When wind speeds reach 70 km/h or grater the landfill will be closed and collections operations will be suspended. This is due to the risk of trucks overturning while dumping and flying debris.

Garbage collection operations could be suspended for Wednesday, October 18 as well if the wind speed remains above 70 km/h.

Service alerts will be issued as required.

Transit                                       

Transit service is operating as regularly scheduled but will alter routes if needed. Customers could experience delays should weather conditions worsen.

Customers are also reminded to track their bus in real time through Transit App and Google Transit.  

Additional information

For timely updates check the City website and service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.