Storm causes power outages, flight diversions

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This article was published 04/09/2015 (3695 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Severe weather continued to play havoc with city services Friday night.

The city reported that, as of 6 p.m., there were 12 locations with either flashing traffic lights, or no lights altogether.

Meanwhile, up until 8 p.m. Friday night, the list of water and waste malfunctions included:

Basement flooding: 1.

Sewer Back-up (clean water): 24.

Sewer Back-up (raw sewage): 11.

Plugged Catch Basin (Front street): 77.

Plugged Catch Basin (Back Lane): 18

Manhole Cover Ajar or Off: 14.

Manitoba Hydro is reported an outage in St. Andrews, Lockport and surrounding area that is affecting 2,100 customers. Crews are on the scene and were estimating power to be restored by 9 p.m.

Earlier Friday, heavy lightning caused four WestJet flights to be diverted, according to Winnipeg Airports Authority spokeswoman Breanne Talbot.

Two of those flights landed in Brandon, before eventually proceeding to Winnipeg. The two others first diverted, then returned to their original route to Winnipeg when lightning subsided.

“That was in the thick of the storm,” Talbot said.

In addition, several departing flights have been delayed “up to an hour” because ground baggage handlers are not allowed to work on the tarmac during lightning storms. Talbot said that precaution could be lifted shortly.

Travellers with flights out of Winnipeg — or those planning to pick up arrivals — are being advised to check departure times prior to heading for Winnipeg’s James Richardson International Airport.

Citizens can report traffic signals, plugged catch basins and other flooding matters to 311 by email at 311@winnipeg.ca, via the city’s accounts on Twitter or Facebook, or via phone at 311.

More information on basement flooding can be found at this link:  www.winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/drainageFlooding/basementFlooding.stm