Prepare for outages in Saskatchewan and Manitoba with blizzard and extreme cold plans, SaskAlert, SaskPower and Manitoba Hydro tools and a car kit.
- SaskAlert, SaskPower and Manitoba Hydro each have outage tools, so set up alerts before winter.
- Gas furnaces need electricity, so plan a warm room and never heat with fuel burning devices indoors.
- Keep a 72-hour kit at home and in your vehicle, with the tank at least half full.
On the Prairies, the main outage risk is the cold itself. Blizzards, ground blizzards and strong winds can bring down lines, close highways and slow repair crews, and when temperatures drop far below freezing a house can lose heat quickly. Distances are long, many homes are rural, and help may take time to arrive, so being self-sufficient for 72 hours is a sensible baseline.
The guidance below uses the official Saskatchewan and Manitoba tools and focuses on a plan that works in deep winter.
Alerts and outage tools
- SaskAlert. Saskatchewan's emergency alert system is sent through Alert Ready, which reaches people on television, radio and compatible wireless devices, and through the SaskAlert app.
- SaskPower. The outage page links to an outage map with updates and a report form. Check SaskPower's website for its current outage reporting phone numbers.
- Manitoba Hydro. Its power outage map shows planned and unplanned outages and is updated every five minutes, with the cause and number of people affected. Set up text, email or phone alerts in your online account to get status updates, including when power returns.
- Alert Ready. Make sure emergency alerts are switched on in your phone.
For tips on combining tools, see alerts and outage reporting. A hand-crank radio helps when cell towers are overloaded, see the radio guide.
Blizzards and wind chill
Blizzards combine strong wind with blowing snow so that visibility drops sharply, and roads can become impassable. Environment Canada issues blizzard and wind chill warnings, so watch them. Wind chill describes how cold exposed skin feels, and at severe levels frostbite can develop quickly. Cover skin when going outside, and limit time out of doors.
- Stay off highways during blizzards. Travel only when the forecast is clear and tell someone your route.
- Keep your tank at least half full in winter, and keep a winter kit in every vehicle. See the winter car emergency kit.
- If you are stranded, stay with the vehicle, keep the tailpipe clear and run the engine only briefly.
Heat when the power is out
A gas or propane furnace normally needs electricity for the fan and controls, so it will not heat during an outage. Prepare a warm-room plan in advance: choose a small interior room, close doors, cover windows and gather blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing. See how to stay warm without power and furnaces in an outage.
If the house may go below freezing for a long time, know where your main water shut-off is and follow local advice on draining or protecting pipes. Farm and acreage owners should also plan for livestock water and heat, and for wells and sump pumps that rely on electricity.
Battery power in the cold
Batteries lose capacity in the cold, and some devices will not charge below freezing. Keep power banks and phones warm inside your clothing. Read how portable power stations behave in cold weather before relying on one in an unheated space. Use what to plug in first to focus on phones, lights, a radio and any medical device.
A kit that fits the Prairies
- About 4 litres (1 gallon) of water per person per day for at least three days.
- No-cook food that stays edible if it freezes. See no-cook foods.
- Warm layers, winter boots, hats, mitts and sleeping bags rated for cold.
- Headlamps and extra batteries, and a first aid kit and medications.
- Cash, and a written list of phone numbers.
Saskatchewan's government recommends a 72-hour kit at home and in your vehicle. Build one with our family kit guide, print the 72-hour checklist, and check your preparedness with the readiness score.
Short trips and rural roads
On the Prairies, a short trip can turn serious if the car slides into a ditch. Always carry warm clothing, even for a quick drive. Charge your phone before leaving, tell someone when you expect to arrive, and carry a paper map in case signal is missing. Keep a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction, a shovel and a small candle-free heat source such as chemical hand warmers. If you wait in the vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe regularly. Check road conditions through the provincial highway reports before you go.
Quick answers
What is SaskAlert?
Saskatchewan's emergency alert system. It is sent through Alert Ready to TV, radio and compatible phones, and through the SaskAlert app.
How do I check outages in Manitoba?
Use Manitoba Hydro's power outage map, which is updated every five minutes, and set up text, email or phone alerts in your online account.