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5.0 (4 votes)

The powerful winds streaking through Great Falls on Wednesday triggered a brief evacuation of the Baja Fresh/Canyons Burger restaurant.

The nearby Best Western hotel sign was being buffeted by the strong winds, causing the restaurant to evacuate during the lunch hour.

By 1:30 pm, a crane service, a sign service, and Great Falls Fire Rescue were on scene to steady the sign.

The gusty winds have triggered numerous power outages in Great Falls and across the region, with power poles down in many locations.

We have received reports of traffic signals out at various times on the west side of town and along parts of 10th Avenue South.

In addition, downed trees have damaged fences in some neighborhoods.

The National Weather Service issued a Blowing Dust Advisory for Cascade County, valid until at least 5 pm this evening.

The blowing dust has caused reduced visibility in some areas, notably the south and southwest areas of Great Falls.

In addition, there is a Blizzard Warning for areas along the northern Rocky Mountain Front this evening and overnight.

We have also received reports of scattered power outages in Tracy, Loma, and Fort Benton.

Earlier this morning, the winds and some icy roads sent a school bus sliding off the road near Browning; no injuries were reported.

Some other effects of the wind have been shared with us on the KRTV Facebook page and in the KRTV Viewer Photo Gallery:

From Bob Berg, a trampoline trying to get over a barn:

From Victoria Goering, kiddie pools trying to make it over the fence:

KRTV friend Valerie Blackaby Goering says: Just pulled our fence out of the road...snapped the 4x4 fence posts right off....over in fox farm. :(

On a lighter note, Amy Reinlasoder Greenwood shared this picture and comment: "Wind took the roof off the house... luckily no one was home at the time ;) "