UPDATE

SaskPower crews were able to restore power to Shaunavon, Eastend, Val Marie, Climax, and the surrounding rural areas last night. 

Maple Creek lines sustained significant damage from the storm, and as a result, all 3,320 customers in the Maple Creek area remained without power overnight. 

 Crews are staged in Swift Current ready to continue restoration efforts this morning, and a helicopter will be utilized to help with damage assessment.

SaskPower says that Initial estimates put over 200 cross arms and 200-300 power poles damaged from winds and heavy precipitation.

The SaskPower Outage Centre received over 30 calls reporting downed lines. They remind everyone that It’s imperative if anyone comes across a downed or low-hanging power line to stay clear (10 metres or 33 feet) and call the SaskPower Outage Centre (or 911 in an emergency).

Original Story

A winter storm that's pelting parts of southwestern Saskatchewan has left many in the dark.

Power outages began being reported by SaskPower around 6:30 a.m. in several communities including Gull Lake, Eastend, and Maple Creek.

Some communities have since been restored to the grid but around 6,500 customers as of 4 p.m. remain without power.

Roughly 40 power poles are down according to SaskPower's initial estimate. There is also a 3-5 kilometre section of line south of Maple Creek that is down.

The Crown corporation doesn't have a timeline for when repairs and service will be restored due to the storm continuing.