Storm Slams Clear Lake, Hundreds Left Without Power

URGENT UPDATE: A severe storm swept through the Clear Lake area on September 25, 2023, leaving hundreds of homes and businesses without power. The storm’s ferocious winds uprooted trees and scattered debris, causing significant disruptions in Wasagaming and Onanole.

As the storm struck Monday evening, residents reported a sudden and intense burst of wind, described by local business owner Sandra Shwetz as a “wall of wind.” Shwetz, who owns The Boardwalk on Clear Lake, recounted the chaos: “All of a sudden, just like a wall of wind hit — it just came up like I’ve never seen before,” she said. The storm brought heavy rain and debris that made visibility nearly impossible.

Power outages were widespread, with Manitoba Hydro officials confirming that restoration efforts began shortly after the storm subsided. By Tuesday afternoon, crews had mostly restored power in the affected areas, though some residents experienced outages for over 20 minutes.

Local resident Jan Sullivan described the impact in her area, stating, “It was quite a storm, really high winds and everything.” She noted that while her power went out Monday evening, it resumed briefly on Tuesday morning. Cleanup efforts were underway, with park employees seen using chainsaws to clear fallen trees.

Peter Chura, a media relations officer for Manitoba Hydro, reported that the storm caused “significant amounts of damage to hydro lines.” Emergency crews worked through the night to repair the damage, but faced challenges due to hazardous conditions and the need for specialized equipment.

Meteorologists from Environment and Climate Change Canada provided insight into the storm’s origins. Crawford Luke explained that two storm systems converged near Riding Mountain National Park, resulting in a powerful downdraft that led to the destructive winds experienced in the Clear Lake area. “It looks like it would have been a pretty strong downburst,” Luke noted, indicating that such events, while not uncommon, can cause significant damage.

Residents were caught off guard, as many did not receive timely alerts on their phones. Shwetz mentioned that about 30 people sought shelter in her shop during the storm, highlighting the community’s vulnerability to sudden weather changes.

The aftermath saw streets littered with debris, as cleanup crews worked diligently to restore normalcy. Although the immediate threat has passed, meteorologists warn that the season is not over yet. “We’ve had Septembers in the past where we still had some hail storms or tornadoes,” Luke cautioned. There remains a possibility of another thunderstorm early next week, although it does not appear to be particularly severe at this time.

Residents are urged to stay vigilant and report any downed power lines, keeping a safe distance of at least 10 meters. As cleanup continues, the Clear Lake community is coming together to recover from this sudden and impactful storm.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.