City fire crews responding to multiple wind-related incidents as powerful winds whip city

The Calgary discharge section says it has responded to multiple wind-related incidents o'er the endure 2 days as strong gusts whipping through the city have created havoc for some businesses.

Fire crews have attended more than 225 emergency calls over the past 24 hours, with several of them being wind-related, the department said in a news release.

Calls have included reports of property damage, downed power lines and fallen trees, the release said.

Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the Calgary region Friday morning, saying northwest winds of 60 km/h could gust up to 90 km/h.

"The strongest winds right now are being recorded in the Calgary area across all three Prairie provinces," said Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

Proctor added the strength of the gusts is a bit unusual, given how cold the temperature is and how long the wind has been blowing.  

"I think everyone is seeing a little bit of wind fatigue," Proctor said. "It's just been blowing day after day after day and we're kind of waiting for it to slowly peter out."

Several businesses and events are also seeing the effects. 

Calgary Expo organizers announced Friday morning they have cancelled the Parade of Wonders due to high wind speeds, instead moving the annual event kickoff to the front steps of the BMO Centre. 

"While the parade portion of the celebration will not happen, the party will," Calgary Expo organizers said in a social media post.

Gym club owner Daniel Fexa said he got a call at 5 a.m. Friday from his staff saying the wind had blown a retail sign onto a customer's car.

"Surprising, extremely," Fexa said. "I'm just glad nobody got hurt."

Fexa added many people on his street had their blue bins out for pick-up Thursday, and the wind had blown most of the empty bins into the street. 

"It was like an apocalypse," he said.

Falling debris caused by extreme gusts Thursday evening also prompted emergency crews to shut down a portion of downtown. 

Around 5:30 p.m., Calgary police said chunks of metal panelling from a Plus 15 fell onto Second Avenue S.W.

"They also have specialized tools to deal with that stuff that typical fire apparatus would not have on it," Lazaick said. "They're trained in special access techniques and special equipment to manage stuff like this."

Lazaick said there have also been reports of loose construction materials blowing off some buildings in the northwest.

Since 2011, all construction sites five storeys or higher in the downtown and the Beltline are required to have an advanced weather forecasting system . The system is designed to give builders 48 hours notice of severe wind events to ensure materials are not blown around and become hazardous to pedestrians or vehicles. 

Officials said no injuries have been reported.

A spokesperson with the Calgary International Airport says commercial airlines have not faced any issues with their flights as a result of the wind on Friday.

Winds are expected to weaken this afternoon and diminish overnight, Environment Canada said.

Reporter

---

---