Damage, accidents follow severe winds in southern Saskatchewan Saturday

A strong low pressure system was responsible for severe winds that overturned semis on southern Saskatchewan highways yesterday.

White Butte RCMP confirmed the Highway 10 overpass near Balgonie, Sask. was closed because of the high winds.

Officers responded to an overturned semi, as well as an overturned truck and trailer, RCMP said.

RCMP also reported the westbound lanes of the Highway 1 overpass at Highway 33 were also closeddue to an overturned semi.

Regina Police Sgt. Donna Wall said they responded to at least two crashes caused by the severe winds. In those two incidents,both vehicles collided with a semi-truck trailer.

There were also numerous power outages and fallen tree branches across the province.

The Ring Road North exit to Albert Street in Regina was blocked off by policebecause a metal pole holding an overhead sign collapsed, forcing the signage and part of the pole to block the off-ramp.

Winds reached as high as 107 km/h

Environment Canada saidat one point Saturday, the town of Estevan sustained wind speeds at 85 kilometres per hour. The strongest wind gust recorded there was at 107 kilometres per hour.

At least four other Saskatchewan communities saw maximum wind gusts reach at least 100 kilometres per hour.

Regina reached a high of 98 kilometres an hour at one point.

Environment Canada said the winds came from an Alberta clipper weather system that developed Friday andbrought the severe winds to Saskatchewan and Manitoba.