For businesses that repair damage, cut down trees and work on roofs it’s a busy weekend in Saskatoon.
Two days of unpredictable weather downed dozens of trees and caused a roof to collapse in the Bridge City.
“Our boss just called and asked ‘Can anyone work?'” Dana Larner with Arbour Crest Tree Service told 650 CKOM. “We’re looking for stuff that’s blown over.”
While it’s much busier than normal, Larner said it does provide an opportunity to use different skills than during typical day-to-day operations.
“It’s cool to get to do a lot more rigging,” she said. “(With) different ropes and knots, it’s a better day for us, instead of just cutting and chucking wood.”
The City of Saskatoon estimates Thursday’s storm with strong wind and heavy rain damaged at least 50 trees on public property.
On Saturday, Saskatoon Fire and Flood were at the scene of EFL Flooring in Sutherland, taking care of debris caused by a roof collapse in the same storm.
“With the help of Maxie’s Excavating we have cleaned all the debris out front, so it’s safe for people to come and go,” Saskatoon Fire and Flood Coordinator Tiago Moreira told 650 CKOM on Saturday.
Because of the roof collapse Thursday when heavy rain started to fall on Friday, it poured into the building, Moreira said.
“The inside of the building is full of water so we’ll start extracting water and airing it out to prevent any further damage,” he explained.
If the build doesn’t get aired out mould could develop, according to Moreira.
He expects the office area will need to be gutted because of the damage, but the warehouse area is safe.
Moreira said the main priority will be to get either a temporary or permanent roof put in place.
— With files from 650 CKOM’s Keenan Sorokan