Pincher Creek Emergency Services busy as a result of high winds and icy roads

Chris Davis

Extremely high winds resulted in four rollovers yesterday, December 11, on Highway 22 within the service boundaries of Pincher Creek Emergency Services.  Other rollovers were reported by emergency services farther north as well.

According to Fire Chief Dave Cox the Compton Gas Plant weather station (located on Highway 22) and the Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) weather forecast group were accessed for measurements and timely forecasts of wind speeds.  Chief Cox said the winds were gusting up to 140 km/hr.  As a result, an alert was posted for 3 or 4 hours yesterday advising motorists to stay off of Highway 22.


Three semi-trucks and one utility vehicle were blown over on Highway 22 during yesterday's wind storm.  Pincher Creek personnel responded with the addition of one member from Lundbreck.  Three people were transported to hospital, one from each accident, with no serious injuries reported.

This afternoon, December 12, Emergency Services responded to a single vehicle rollover near the Burmis weigh scale station on Highway 3.  Chief Cox said that accident was probably caused by icy road conditions.  Lundbreck and Pincher Creek responded to that incident with an ambulance from Pincher Creek as well.  Two people were transported to the Crowsnest Pass hospital with undetermined injuries.

Environment Canada has issued a Wind Warning for Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, and Waterton Lakes National Park, stating that strong winds gusting to 100 km/h are expected Thursday afternoon, likely continuing through Thursday evening.  Chief Cox said the roads were quite icy today.  They will likely be icy tomorrow as well.  Exercising caution while driving in these conditions is strongly recommended.