'Gustnado' knocks out power in parts of Saskatchewan

Strong winds are being blamed for widespread power outages in Saskatchewan.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says severe thunderstorms brought damaging winds to the north and southeast corners of the province.

Terri Lang, a meteorologist with ECCC, says the storm on Sunday was a supercell with the potential to bring a tornado.

"After that tornado risk passed, the storm started to broaden out. And that's when the risk of these really strong winds became quite evident," said Lang.

Lang said there haven't been confirmed reports of tornadoes so far, but that the wind still caused significant damage.

"We did see a video or two of some really strong winds and it was reported as a tornado. But the meteorologists looked, it looks more like what we would call a gustnado or strong outflow winds coming from the storm. Those, of course, can do quite a bit of damage," said Lang.

Lang said ECCC has also received reports of flash flooding, along with golf ball and tennis ball sized hail, in the southeast. 

Lang said the storm was so severe ECCC decided to issue its first ever "Broadcast Intrusive Warning" since upgrading its warning system. The system is also used for Amber Alerts and other urgent bulletins.

Lang said that the storm moved northeast across the province, knocking out power lines in places like Kipling, about 145 kilometres southeast of Regina, and Pelican Narrows, about 420 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.

"That's when the risk of these really strong winds became quite evident," said Lang.

Crystal Leggett was in Kipling celebrating Father's Day when the storm hit.

"It was a complete whiteout when wind and rain came out," says Leggett

After the storm passed they toured the community to survey the damage. 

"Tree branches hanging on power lines were also a little scary," says Leggett.