**** NSP Media Release
Nova Scotia Power Activates Emergency Operations Centre in Advance of Winter Storm
Nova Scotia Power is mobilizing personnel and resources in advance of an expected winter storm on Tuesday.
“Weather forecasts are calling for heavy wet snow, significant rainfall and winds up to 100 km/h across the province,” said Matt Drover, Nova Scotia Power’s Storm Lead. “In preparation, we are putting plans in place for crews to be stationed across the province and staffing up our Customer Care Centre.”
Nova Scotia Power activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 2pm Monday, February 1, 2021.
The EOC provides centralized coordination for outage restoration planning and response and acts as a
liaison with the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office (EMO). It is staffed with employees representing all areas of the company.
“Based on the current track, this winter storm has the potential to result in power outages across the province,” said Matt Drover. “Crews will begin restoring power as soon as conditions are safe. We
encourage people to monitor their local weather forecasts and prepare accordingly.”
If winds are gusting above 80 km/h, crews will make an on-site assessment of whether to stand down for safety. Work to restore outages will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
Restoration Priorities
In situations where there are multiple power outages, Nova Scotia Power restores power in phases to bensure critical services like hospitals can stay open before beginning work in other areas. Larger outages on transmission lines and in substations are restored ahead of smaller outages to restore electricity to the greatest number of customers.
The phases are as follows:
• Phase 1 – Restoration of public safety issues and emergency situations
• Phase 2 – Restoration of NS Power critical infrastructure such as transmission lines and
substations
• Phase 3 – Restoration of Emergency Management Office (EMO) critical infrastructure such as
hospitals, shelters, and essential provincial and municipal services
• Phase 4 – Restoration of main electrical feeders servicing communities and neighbourhoods
• Phase 5 – Restoration of branch power lines servicing individual streets
• Phase 6 – Restoration of individual homes and businesses
Nova Scotia Power is also coordinating closely with the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office and
has a team onsite to assist where needed.
Customer Safety
Nova Scotia Power encourages customers to plan for their safety. Some tips include having an
emergency kit that includes flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh water, ensuring backup generators are installed properly outdoors, and charging electronic devices. If you lose power, turn off and unplug electrical equipment, such as televisions and computers to prevent damage when power is
restored.
Visit www.nspower.ca/stormready for a full list of safety and storm preparedness tips.
In situations where there are multiple power outages, Nova Scotia Power restores power in phases to
ensure critical services like hospitals can stay open before beginning work in other areas. Larger outages on transmission lines and in substations are restored ahead of smaller outages to restore electricity to the greatest number of customers. Nova Scotia Power is also coordinating closely with the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office and
has a team onsite to assist where needed and help coordinate the restoration response.
Outage Information
Customers can report outages and get estimated restoration times online at outagemap.nspower.ca or by calling Nova Scotia Power at 1-877-428-6004. Estimated restoration times will be posted and updated as our crews assess the damage.
