Emergency Response and Power Outages

Planned power outage:

  • Wednesday, December 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Crestwood
    Crews are working on electrical infrastructure in the Crestwood neighbourhood. Approximately 350 customers on Cuyler Road, Cowan Crescent, Corbitt Way, Carr Crescent, Collins Crescent, Crestwood Drive, Cockrill Court, Castellani Crescent, Cobb Road, and Cooney Road will experience an interruption to their electrical service.
  • Thursday, December 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Crestwood
    Work will continue in the Crestwood area on December 5, though fewer customers will be affected. 

Major outages archive

July 18, 2022
On July 18, 2022, a severe thunderstorm with damaging winds moved through Cypress County,  knocking out power to more than 7,600 customers in Medicine Hat, Redcliff and rural areas.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has since confirmed a tornado touched down in Cypress County about 10 kilometres south of Redcliff near Highway 523 at approximately 1:10 p.m. with a rating of EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and wind speeds of up to 190 km/h. The tornado was followed by a downburst – a strong downward and outward wind system – rated at EF-1 with winds up to 150 km/h, affecting Redcliff and Medicine Hat.


Disaster recovery application

The City of Medicine Hat is submitting an application to the Government of Alberta’s Disaster Recovery Program (DRP). This may provide an opportunity for residents and property owners to seek financial relief for uninsurable losses if they experienced damage from the tornado on July 18.

What is the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP)? 

The DRP provides financial assistance for uninsurable loss and damage caused by emergencies and disasters. Following a disaster, affected municipalities can apply to the program and, if the municipal application is approved, affected residents can apply to the Province for financial assistance. 

More information about the Alberta Government’s Disaster Recovery Program (DRP), including the types of disasters covered by the program, is available online at https://www.alberta.ca/disaster-recovery-programs.aspx.

I have damage, what should I do? 

Residents who have not already done so are advised to contact their insurance provider in relation to any damage or loss they have suffered as a result of the July 18 extraordinary and severe weather event.

Fill out a Property Damage Survey and expect a call from an Alberta Emergency Management Agency case worker to discuss.

The Province will determine if Medicine Hat qualifies for the program by evaluating the amount of property damage and recovery costs.

Property Damage Survey

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), who administers the DRP, has asked for the City’s assistance in collecting data. Affected property owners are asked to fill out a Property Damage Survey to provide the following information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Description of damage
  • 1-2 photos if available

Fill out the Property Damage Survey

The information collected will be shared with the Government of Alberta. Residents who complete the form may be contacted by an AEMA case worker to further discuss whether they may be eligible for funding under the Disaster Recovery Program.

If you have questions about the Disaster Recovery Program, please contact the Alberta Emergency Management Agency at 1-888-671-1111 or drp.info@gov.ab.ca.


Current situation

Updated: 2022-07-29 12:57:59 PM

Please respect barricades and closures. Stay away from areas which may remain closed and allow all crews space to work safely. Please also respect the privacy of property owners in Medicine Hat, Redcliff and Cypress County who are affected by the storm.

Power is restored to all customers

  • To date, crews have identified more than 80 confirmed broken power poles and multiple damaged lines and equipment, including one river crossing. Investigation continues and we expect to discover damaged infrastructure for days to come.
  • Clean up of tree branches and debris throughout parks has begun. To report a downed tree that is non-life threatening, contact the Parks Office at parks@medicinehat.ca or call 403-529-8333, including after hours.
  • NAV Canada Notification of Minor Work & Public Notice

Road closures

  • All other roads within Medicine Hat that were closed due to the storm are now open.
  • Local roads may experience temporary closures or partial lane closures to continue cleanup and restoration efforts as required.

Parks and pools

Echo Dale Regional Park saw extensive damage in the storm. The swim lake, concession and farm have reopened to the public.

The boat lake, boat launch, campground and off-leash areas remain closed. 

Crews remain on site as work clean-up work and additional assessment to the trees, the irrigation infrastructure and pump house continue. Park visitors are asked to stay away from crews, fencing, equipment, as well as any large stumps which remain.

There will be no pedestrian or vehicle access east of the boat lake and boat launch, which remain closed at this time, along with the campground and off-leash areas.

Read more here.


Posted news

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Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery: Weather Event July 2022 will appear here on the public site.