Post-Windstorm Update

Weather

Environment Canada ended a wind warning for Saskatoon early this morning.

A very intense low pressure system continues to move through central Saskatchewan today.

For the rest of the day, we can expect westerly winds at 40 km/h and gusts to 60 km/h this afternoon, diminishing to 30 km/h with gusts to 50 km/h before finally tapering off to 20 km/h overnight.

Parks & Urban Forestry

Parks received five calls last night. Two were urgent with trees down over roadways.

Parks crews have not reported any extensive damage and are confident they can handle the damage being reported so far.

Parks & Urban Forestry has 11 Arborists available to be assigned on a priority basis.

There are also three crews assisting with inspections as needed and collecting branches.

Pest Management staff will also assist with inspections along the MVA trail and Horticulture Technicians are checking pathways and play areas in parks for tree damage.

Post-event priorities include: assessing reported damage and responding to City trees that have failed and are presenting potential danger to the public and clearing 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

SL&P crews were kept busy through the night as a result of the wind.

The City power company had outages in Sutherland, Arbor Creek, Erindale,

Evergreen, Forest Grove and the Airport Industrial Area.

Tree contacts caused stress on lines, several wood power poles broke and street light poles were knocked over.

Power in the residential areas went out around 11:30 p.m. and was restored around 1:30 a.m... Two customers were still out of power this morning. 

SL&P has the necessary resources to handle any isolated calls of downed tree limbs or other issues arising out of the windstorm.

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. 

Fire Department

Firefighters responded to a grass and brush fire in the RM of Corman Park.  This incident occurred and escalated as a direct result of the strong wind gusts.  Two engine companies, two brush trucks and one water tender were used to put down the flames.

Subsequently though, three crews had to be recalled to back-fill for the absence of three crews inside city limits.

There were a total of five incidents involving electrical hazards as a result of downed power lines.

Police

The Saskatoon Police Service had an increase in alarm calls as a result of the wind event. Police handled 24 alarm calls between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Typically during this same time period for the month of October, police handle 6 to 7 alarm calls on a Tuesday night into the Wednesday morning hours.

Roadways & Operations

R&O will have crews available for debris pick up on roads. As usual, the Customer Service Center is available to receive calls and dispatch work around-the-clock at 306-975-2476.