Saskatchewan

Power knocked out to parts of southeastern Sask. for more than 24 hours after blizzard

SaskPower crews are busy trying to get power restored after a massive blizzard ripped through eastern Saskatchewan Tuesday.

SaskPower crews weren't able to venture out to areas until wind died down

A man rides his bike through Wascana Park during a blizzard in Regina, Sask. (Mark Taylor/The Canadian Press)

SaskPower crews are busy trying to get power restored to dozens of homes after a massive blizzard ripped through eastern Saskatchewan Tuesday.

As of 6 a.m. CST Wednesday morning, crews were busy in the area between Redvers, Carlyle and Alida, 270 km southeast of Regina.

One farmer from the Alida area said he had been without power for 30 hours, but it's back on now.

"It was kind of nasty," said Gray Cowan. "Fortunately, we've got a wood stove here, so we were able to keep things relatively warm."

However, not all of Cowan's neighbours had backup heat sources. One of them was forced to take shelter in his truck to warm up.

"It goes to show you that we're vulnerable," he said.

Even though he was without power for a long time, Cowan said it's understandable.

"The storm was so bad that you couldn't expect crews to go out," he said. "We're maybe 50 yards from our lane here, and you couldn't see across the lane. I haven't seen a storm like this for a long time."

SaskPower still doesn't have an estimate of when power will be fully restored to the area.

Numerous highways were closed in the southeast. Crews couldn't venture out into the area until they were reopened and it was safe to do so.

Power was restored to Regina's Cathedral, Coronation Park, Normanview, and Walsh Acres neighbourhoods last night.

SaskPower is expected to release more information this morning.