Communities across north-central Saskatchewan are working around the clock to recover from devastating weekend storms that knocked out power to approximately 50,000 customers and caused what officials describe as the most significant damage in several years.
The severe weather system that struck on July 12, 2026, created widespread outages affecting a vast region that included Prince Albert, Melfort, Shellbrook, Spiritwood, Nipawin, Candle Lake, La Roche, and Hudson Bay. SaskPower crews have been working tirelessly to restore electricity to affected households and businesses throughout the area.
Multiple Storms Compound Damage Across the Region
According to Joel Cherry, spokesperson for SaskPower, the initial power outage that affected the large area was restored by Sunday morning. However, residents barely had time to recover before another storm system moved through on July 13, causing additional outages throughout the northeastern portion of the province.
“It wasn’t just one single storm that caused it. We had another storm on Sunday that caused outages in the northeast. In terms of the total number of outages, it’s the highest we’ve seen not only this year but in several years over the course of a short period.”
The back-to-back severe weather events caused extensive damage to both major transmission lines and secondary distribution systems. This widespread destruction has made restoration efforts particularly challenging for utility workers who have been putting in marathon shifts to bring power back online.
As of July 15, 2026, a few hundred customers in the affected area remained without electricity. SaskPower officials expressed confidence that all remaining outages would be resolved by the end of the day, directing residents to check the utility’s online outage map for the most current information.
Village of Aylsham Declares State of Emergency
The small village of Aylsham, located approximately 30 minutes southeast of Nipawin, took the significant step of declaring a local state of emergency on July 15. Village officials urged residents to avoid using the water system and to limit unnecessary travel while emergency crews work to address the situation.
Local resident Yvonne Angelica expressed disbelief at the storm’s impact on her community, noting the extensive infrastructure damage that crews are working to repair.
- Numerous power lines have been damaged throughout the region
- Multiple utility poles have been broken and require replacement
- Repair crews worked from 8 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. on July 14
- Some residents have been without power for three consecutive days
- Food spoilage has become a significant concern for many households
For Aylsham resident Cori Jones, the experience of driving home through the storm on July 12 was nothing short of terrifying. As someone living in a mobile home with a nine-month-old son, Jones described the fear of wondering whether a tornado was about to strike.
“When I actually felt the house move was when my stomach turned because it was like, ‘Is this a tornado that we’re about to get?’ We have a nine-month-old son, so there is nothing scarier than being in something that could potentially move,” Jones shared in an interview.
Community Impact and Food Loss Concerns
The extended power outages have created significant hardships for many residents, particularly those without backup generators. Jones, who was fortunate enough to have a generator, acknowledged that many community members are not as well-prepared for such emergencies.
Food spoilage has emerged as a major concern across the affected region. Some residents have lost entire freezers full of food after three days without electricity, representing both a financial and practical burden for families.
In the nearby community of Carrot River, emergency responders worked continuously throughout the weekend to clear debris and address safety hazards. Local officials have characterized this storm system as the worst they have experienced in 2026, requiring extraordinary efforts from first responders and utility workers alike.
The emergency declaration in Aylsham allows village officials to coordinate response efforts more effectively, request additional assistance from provincial and federal authorities, and implement measures necessary to protect the health and safety of residents during this challenging recovery period.
Residents throughout north-central Saskatchewan are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and those who may need assistance, report any downed power lines to SaskPower immediately, and follow local emergency management guidance as cleanup efforts continue across the region.
