PHOTOS, VIDEO: Wild wind closes highways, knocks over semis in Saskatchewan

An Alberta clipper steamrolled across Saskatchewan on Saturday, creating chaos with its winds gusting past 100 kmh and closing Highway 1 and Highway 10 in Balgonie.

Doug Lapchuk, Balgonie Volunteer Fire Chief, told 980 CJME that high winds had “blown vehicles off the top” of Highway 1 at Highway 10.

Highway 1 eastbound at the Highway 10 off-ramp and Highway 10 westbound, coming out from Fort Qu’appelle, are closed, Lapchuk said, and motorists should avoid the area and check the Highway Hotline for updates.

“Right now, I’ve got a 45-foot semi that’s laid over, plus a one-ton truck with a trailer laid over, and this is the second or third time we’ve been up there today,” Lapchuk said.

A semi was also blown over on Regina bypass, Regina Fire Service said.

RFPS responded to a semi rollover this morning 1 mile north of Dewdney on the Bypass. Driver escaped with no injuries. Minor diesel leak contained by firefighters. Both lanes of traffic are open. Please proceed with caution until the trailer can be removed. #YQR pic.twitter.com/N3b4wCkbP4

— Regina Fire (@Regina_Fire) October 5, 2024

Power outages have been reported in some areas.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued warnings on Saturday that strong winds with westerly or northwesterly wind gusts will affect southern Saskatchewan until the early evening, when the system heads to Manitoba. The warnings included the cities of Moose Jaw and Regina.

The wind is crazy here in Regina and we’re starting to see the effects. I’m in the Cathedral neighbourhood right now where a tree has snapped in half and its branches landed on nearby cars. Thankfully there appears to be little to no damage to them. @CJMENews @CKOMNews #SKstorm pic.twitter.com/RIyi5SHJEe

— Nicole Garn (@garnnic) October 5, 2024

You might want to secure any outdoor items in Regina today! This wind is wild.

I took this video in the Cathedral neighbourhood. @CJMENews @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/BLpA6owtp1

— Nicole Garn (@garnnic) October 5, 2024

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A casualty of the wind in Regina on Oct. 5, 2024. This sign is on Ring Road, just before Lewvan Drive, in Regina. (Patrick Book/Submitted)

Traffic lights are down on Highway 46 northwest of Regina by the Regina Correctional Centre turn on Oct. 5, 2024. (Sarah Mills/980CJME)

Tree branches littered Regina’s Albert Park South on Oct. 5, 2024. (Sarah Mills/980CJME)

A tree down in a yard in Regina on Oct. 5, 2024. (Mitchell Blair/submitted)

A casualty of the wind in Regina on Oct. 5, 2024. This sign is on Ring Road, just before Lewvan Drive, in Regina. (Submitted)

A piece of patio furniture smashed this window in Regina on Oct. 5 2024. (Trish Bezberotko/980CJME)

A tree in northwest Regina was split by the wind on Oct. 5, 2024 (Submitted)

Branches litter the roadway in northwest Regina on Oct. 5, 2024 (Submitted)

ECCC said sustained winds of 60 to 70 km/h with gusts of 90 to 100 km/h will be possible and that damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur and the winds may result in power outages and fallen tree branches.

Rose Carlson, a meteorologist with ECCC, said the agency had had a few reports of winds gusting to more than 100 km/h overnight on Friday, with a gust of 113 kmh recorded in Mankota and one of 100 kmh recorded in Climax. Carlson said there were no reports of damage as of this morning.

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