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Lighting risk worries Central Alberta truckers

Thunderstorms that moved across Central Alberta early on Wednesday morning were a little more than what truckers had hoped to encounter.
Electrifying-lightning-June-6
Thunderstorms that moved across Central Alberta early on Wednesday morning were a little more than what truckers had hoped to encounter.

Thunderstorms that moved across Central Alberta early on Wednesday morning were a little more than what truckers had hoped to encounter.

At about 2:10 a.m., Red Deer County fire prevention officers made their way north of Hwy 42 after they were called about a tractor trailer unit getting struck by lightning.

Fire prevention officer chief Tom Metzger says the tractor unit was carrying dangerous goods and its operators were concerned about a risk.

“We cannot confirm where the lightning struck on it but it killed the power ... because they were carrying dangerous goods they wanted it checked.”

Metzger was unaware what type of goods the truck was carrying but says everything was resolved not long after they arrived.

Another truck was brought in to haul the trailer away, Metzger said.

The storm over Red Deer on Wednesday didn’t compare to a string of thunderstorms that ripped through southern parts of Alberta. Strong winds downed power lines and trees and at least two tornadoes touched down, one of which was spotted near Taber.