A powerful wind storm swept through southern Saskatchewan on Thursday, downing trees, flipping semi trucks, and leaving over 100,000 customers without power. By Friday, SaskPower said power had been restored to most areas, but cleanup efforts were ongoing, with businesses like Elle's Café in Regina facing significant damage.
Storm Impact on Regina
Elle Grzeda, co-owner of Elle's Café on 13th Avenue, found a massive uprooted tree smashed through her business's fence and across its outdoor patio. Rather than panic, she filmed a humorous video for social media, zipping in on a scooter with an ice-cream cake and shrugging off the damage. "We were just trying to make a joke out of it, trying to be lighthearted and not take it too seriously," Grzeda said. The tree missed the café but damaged tables and forced the patio to close for about a week. "We are going to lose money over it. Mostly, I’m just happy no one was hurt," she added.
Power Outages and Restoration
SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry said the storm brought "really damaging wind gusts" that affected many transmission lines. At the peak, over 100,000 customers across southern Saskatchewan were without power. By Friday morning, crews had restored power to most areas, with repairs still underway in Regina's Whitmore Park and around Radville, Strasbourg, and Estevan. "We'll continue to work on those throughout the day, potentially into the weekend," said Cherry.
Wind Speeds and Accidents
Environment Canada reported winds reaching nearly 100 km/h in Regina and up to 115 km/h near Radville. The City of Regina received 87 service requests related to the storm, including 68 calls about downed trees, broken branches, and blocked roads. Saskatchewan RCMP responded to eight wind-related accidents between Thursday and Friday morning, three of which involved semi trucks flipping on highways.
Despite the damage, Grzeda's lighthearted response captured the spirit of resilience. "I could let it ruin my day but it’s like, what can you do?" she said, as her family worked to clear the debris.
