OLDS — High winds the night of Nov. 15 and much of Nov. 16 wreaked havoc with some trees, Christmas decorations and garbage or recycling bins, according to town officials.
However, Olds RCMP did not receive any wind-related complaints.
According to Environment Canada, wind speeds reached at least 53 kilometres per hour around 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15. Speeds nearly reached that high again on the morning of Nov. 16. A wind warning was in effect for the area until late afternoon on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
“Crews are out now dealing with some minor instances with snow fence and fallen trees around the community,” Town operations director Scott Grieco said Tuesday.
Greico said there was no major damage to facilities and infrastructure as a result of the wind.
However, he said it did delay the installation of Christmas decorations slated to be undertaken.
A Town of Olds official raised concern about operating a lift for those installations in high wind.
“(There were) no files or complaints to the RCMP about the wind," Olds RCMP Cst. Morley Statchuk said in an email.
A tour around town revealed some impact from the wind.
A huge tree was torn down in the Olds College campus adjacent to the large parking lot behind the Alumni Centre.
And several recycling, garbage or compost bins were knocked in various places in town.
The wind also forced a gate open along 52nd Avenue.
On the other hand, soccer nets in the Rotary Athletic Park remained in place and thin, newly-planted trees planted at the new Operations Centre remained intact. The Christmas Village in Centennial Park remained upright as well.
