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Powerful winds are battering southern Manitoba today, toppling trees and causing damage throughout the region, including in Winnipeg.
The Westwood area has already seen a large tree downed on a residential street, as gusts nearing 100 km/h hit the city. In other parts of the province, gusts have far exceeded 100 km/h at times.
Environment Canada has extended its wind warning across many parts of the south, including Virden, Brandon, Morden, and Dauphin. Severe gusts are expected to persist into the evening, potentially damaging roofs and windows, and downing power lines.
Hydro outages across southern Manitoba
Manitoba Hydro’s outage map is unavailable due to scheduled maintenance, leaving many without an easy way to track power disruptions. In a statement on X, the utility said, “A reminder our online services like outage reporting and the outage map are offline today as we upgrade our system. To report an outage, please call 1-888-624-9376.”
Manitoba Hydro representatives say as of 5:30 p.m. there are approximately 60 outages scattered across Manitoba affecting approximately 1,600 customers.
The utility company says the majority of these outages are in southern Manitoba stretching from the Saskatchewan border east to Winnipeg and the Interlake.
"Our crews are out working to restore power as quickly as is safely possible," the representative says.
"Again, while our system is down for upgrades, we are asking any customers who lose power to report it by calling us at 1-888-624-9376. "
If anyone encounters power lines knocked down to the ground, they should treat them as energized. Stay at least 10 metres away and call 911 or local emergency services.
Winds hit 130 km/h in Riding Mountain
Storm chaser Andrew Hamm posted a dramatic video from Bald Hill in Riding Mountain National Park, showing him battling extreme conditions.
“Unreal winds here at Bald Hill, MB! Gusts well in excess of 130km,” Hamm wrote, highlighting how the winds have intensified over the hills and ravines of the park.
Unreal winds here at Bald Hill, MB! Gusts well in excess of 130km. Winds are amplified over the Riding Mountains and accelerated through the ravine.#mbstorm@ReedTimmerUSA pic.twitter.com/TTF2cGwohj
— Andrew Hamm (@AndrewHamm_MB) October 5, 2024
Residents are urged to secure loose objects, as more damage is likely with winds expected to ease only later tonight.
Widespread damage
In Morden, Man., photographer Shelly Heinrichs captured video of a hydro pole knocked over in the winds, dangling on the tension of the lines.
She writes that the ground remains heavily saturated from previous downpours.
High winds in Morden pushing the hydro pole over, ground is so wet still. Hydro is working to remedy the situation!#mbstorm #mbwx pic.twitter.com/Bas33q93zk
— Shelly (w/Dan) Heinrichs 🇨🇦 (@HeinrichsPhoto) October 5, 2024
This is a developing story. We'll continue to update here with the latest information.