Falling paving stones pelt vehicles as gusting winds blow them off Calgary highrise balcony

Strong winds blew paving stones off the 27th floor of a residential highrise in Calgary's Beltline district on Wednesday morning.

Firefighters were called to the tower near 13th Avenue and Centre Street S.W. around 9:20 a.m. after several reports of rock falling onto the street and hitting vehicles, the city said in a release.

Fire crews and police discovered that a resident on the 27th floor had used paving stones to hold down a hot tub cover. Wind gustsblew off the cover, catapulting the paving stones down to the street.

There were no injuries.

Environment Canada said Calgary recorded winds of 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h on Wednesday.

City officials are warning Calgarians that high winds can create dangerous situations.

"Ensure objects on your balcony or in your yard are properly secured so that they do not become projectiles and cause injury or damage," the release said.