Calgary is in the grip of a wind siege. As gusts howled through the city Friday at speeds up to 90 km/h, emergency responders found themselves buried under a wave of crisis calls — more than 225 in a single 24-hour period.
The Calgary Fire Department confirmed it has responded to numerous wind-related emergencies over the past two days, with reports flooding in of fallen trees, snapped power lines, and significant property damage across residential and commercial areas. One local business owner described the scene as apocalyptic.
"It was like an apocalypse," said Daniel Fexa, owner of a local gym club, recounting how the wind scattered blue recycling bins across his street Thursday night and toppled a retail sign directly onto a customer's vehicle Friday morning. "I'm just glad nobody got hurt."
Environment Canada issued a formal wind warning for the Calgary region Friday morning, forecasting northwest winds of 60 km/h with gusts climbing to 90 km/h. According to meteorologist Brian Proctor with Environment Canada, Calgary has been experiencing the strongest winds recorded across all three Prairie provinces.
"I think everyone is seeing a little bit of wind fatigue. It's just been blowing day after day after day and we're kind of waiting for it to slowly peter out."
— Brian Proctor, Environment Canada meteorologist
The persistent nature of the weather system has proven particularly punishing. Proctor noted the unusual intensity of the gusts given the cold temperatures and the relentless duration of the wind event — conditions that have fatigued residents and challenged emergency services.
Major Events Disrupted
The wind's impact extended beyond routine emergencies. Calgary Expo organizers announced Friday morning they were forced to cancel the traditional Parade of Wonders — one of the season's signature festivities — due to hazardous wind speeds. However, organizers assured supporters the celebration would continue in modified form at the BMO Centre's front steps.
"While the parade portion of the celebration will not happen, the party will," organizers posted on social media.
Emergency crews continue to monitor conditions as the wind is expected to gradually subside by evening, though forecasters caution that unsettled weather patterns are likely to persist in the coming days.
This story is based on reporting by CBC Calgary.