Discussions

Anyone doing any prep for the very high winds predicted for tonight? Other than fastening and/or putting away loose items, is there anything else we should be doing? Power outage? Will windows be broken?

The biggest threat is probably power outages, especially because there will be precipitation with it. With Hydro working to rule, the turn around time for repairs probably will be longer than normal. Make sure everything is fully charged, and have supplies to keep warm (blankets, sleeping bags etc) on hand. Make sure you know how to report an outage (https://www.hydro.mb.ca/outages/) in case you're impacted.  
 
Otherwise, stay off the roads and hunker down. We've had winds like that before and while they might cause property damage, we've had winds like this before and we're usually relatively unscathed if you and your neighbours have secured any loose property.  
 
People have their trampolines out already. Those suckers go flying in this kind of weather. Make sure those are put away or chained down. Or take off the mat part so there's no sail.

I made sure anything that might blow away was tucked away inside. If winds do not get above 90 I hope we do not lose power. However, if we get freezing raid and wind, who knows. I have a supply of drinking water, and do have a tank of water handy in case we do lose power-i will still have hand washing and toilet flushing water (I am on a well so no hydro means no water). The livestock all have extra water out so will be good through Wednesday, maybe Thursday, even if we lose power.

FYI. The MB Hydro outages map and online outage reporting are both offline due to the strike.

Manitoba Hydro Customer service staff(IBEW 2034) for Brandon, Killarney, Virden, Russell, Neepawa, Swan River and Dauphin are on strike as of today, March 29th, 16:30 for 24 hours. Outages will be responded by management staff and contractors. If this angers you, contact your MLA and voice your concern. An ESA has not been reached at this point.

https://www.hydro.mb.ca/outages/ should work for reporting. They've done something funky to the internal stuff on the site.  
 
If the direct link doesn't work, if you go to the main page https://www.hydro.mb.ca/ and scroll down and select "outages". It takes you to the address linked above, with all the contact info etc. But clearly states the map doesn't work due to work action.

Expect outages to last longer than normal. Management often has no clue what to do other than take free money. Contractors are not friends of colleagues on strike.  
Thank Pallister for your lengthy outages.