A fierce summer storm brought wind gusts of 90 km/h, toppling trees onto power lines and causing damage, power outages and surges throughout Red Deer on Friday.
Two people were at home in their mobile home in Mustang Acres when a tree toppled onto the roof in the afternoon.
Mobile home park manager Judy Albert said there were no injuries and the residents would either stay with family or at a hotel that evening.
She did not have an estimate of the damage.
A downed power pole on Riverside Drive kept Red Deer Electric, Light and Power crews hopping all day.
Power was expected to be restored to area residents and businesses by late afternoon. Lions Campground was without power for most of the day. Riverside Drive between 48th and 46A Avenue was blocked off while crews worked.
Various downed trees had drivers seeking alternate routes in parts of the city.
Fallen tree branches and blowing debris kept city crews on their feet as they tried to stay on top of the storm. No major damage was reported in the storm that also brought driving rain.
Jim Jorgensen, Electric, Light and Power manager, said city crews responded to report of a tree on a line in Mountview that left the downtown area without power for a few hours. They also secured a leaning power pole on Johnstone Drive, a broken pole in Eastview and fixed other minor issues.
“We’re tidying up what needs to be dealt with,” said Jorgensen.
The CentreFest kickoff barbecue planned for City Hall Park was cancelled early in the day but events Saturday and Sunday will go ahead as planned.
A wind warning was in effect for the City of Red Deer and most of Central Alberta as a result of a low pressure system. Wind gusts of 90 km/h were expected to develop and continue into the evening.
A wind warning is issued for 70 km/h or higher of sustained wind and/or gusts to 90 km/h or more. The rain is expected to continue into Saturday but clear up in the afternoon with a high of 21C. Sunny skies are back with a high of 24C on Sunday.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com