Emergency shelters have been opened in several southern Alberta communities after a snowstorm knocked out power for hundreds of customers.
Adverse weather due to the snow was cited for several of the outages – at one point as many as 800 customers in the Strathmore area were without power.
READ MORE: Winter storm warning issued for Calgary
High winds and snow swept across the southern portion of the province Monday, catching many residents off guard.
Some were on the Trans-Canada Highway when it was closed between Calgary and Bassano late Monday morning.
They were directed to shelters that were quickly set up.
Emergency shelters are set up in the following places:
- Strathmore Recreation Centre: 120 Brent Boulevard, Strathmore, Alta.
- Gleichen Community Centre: Gleichen, Alta.
- Luthern Church: 112 Lakeside Boulevard, Strathmore, Alta., offering shelter for travellers with pets
An emergency shelter was opened in Cluny, Alta., but people there were being sent to Gleichen after that shelter lost power.
A spokesperson at the Gleichen Community Centre said about 80 people were at the shelter at about 3 p.m. and they were expecting more.
Hot food and drinks were being offered.
Several highways in southern Alberta were also closed on Monday due to the adverse weather conditions.