RIVERS
BANNER March 10, 2017
Volume 109, Issue 36
sary r e v i n Celebrating our 108th An
Gazette-Reporter
Serving the Rivers, Rapid City and Oak River areas for 107 years
89¢ + tax
Wild winter weather
By Sheila Runions Banner Staff n Sunday evening shortly after 6 p.m. those signed up for weather alerts were
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issued for Rivers. All remained calm for a time but by late morning Monday, March 6 the mist was becoming more like rain; hefty winds pelted that mist into clothing so one was drenched as if they’d been turned solid after its landing and snow began to fall in early afternoon. By 6 p.m. Rolling River School Division had announced all schools would be closed 50-some employees they would also be closed the following day. morning. With winds gusting up to 80 kilometres per hour overnight, many residents woke up to more snow than they have seen in more than 15 years. estimated 14 inches fell but it seemed more like three feet as most drifts were knee deep and more. A handjor storm system continues to bring snow and very strong northwest winds to southwestern Manitoba. winds with gusts of 90 kilometres per hour at times, is creating widespread visibilities less than 400 metres, with localized whiteouts.” Roads were closed throughout the area, vehicles English (southeast of Cardale) were without power 1 to 100 kilometres per hour, dropping to 93 overnight were forecast to die down Wednesday afternoon (after press deadline) with gusts of only 51 kilometres per hour and dropping down to 35 kilometres per between -14C to -18C but because of the winds, it felt like -30C. ord set in 1959 as the worst blizzard in Manitoba’s beyond that and wind continued to polish the ice on cleared areas, but by Wednesday morning at least the snow was now packed so hard it did not blow around as much and thus reduce visibility. Plus, the sun was out in full force so even though the wind was still super strong, if one gazed out a window, it looked like a pleasant day. Once again, Rolling River School Division and Springland Mfg. (located seven miles northwest of Rivers and also at the old air base)
Photo by Heather Gray
Wicked winds created crazy drifts such as evidenced by this one at the home of Ray and Tammy Birch in Rivers. While it is massive and uniquely shaped, it did not impede entrance to their home as was the case with Aaron and Lacey Douglas; thankfully the Douglas family has a back door which was more accessible.
closed on Wednesday.
1 1 1 at 13 hours, 1968 at 12 hours and 1995 at 11 hours. Although this weather system did not drop nearly as much snow as some storms, other blizzard-like 1
Spring ahead!
Photo by Sheila Runions