**** NSP Release
Nova Scotia Power Activating its Emergency Operations Centre
Nova Scotia Power will be activating its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 12pm Friday (January
14), in advance of the latest winter storm to hit the province.
“Along with high winds, the weather forecasts are calling for a mix of rain, snow and freezing rain across the province beginning Friday and continuing into Saturday,” said Sean Borden, Nova Scotia Power’s storm lead. “There’s also a risk of temperatures dropping quickly. Crews are at the ready and will respond to whatever this storm brings.”
The EOC provides a central place to coordinate planning for outage restoration and response. It is staffed with employees from all parts of the company. NS Power is also coordinating closely with the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office.
“This is the second significant winter storm anticipated to hit our province in a week,” Borden said. “We will be ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible.”
Customer Safety
Customers are encouraged to monitor their local weather forecasts and prepare accordingly. Some tips include having an emergency kit with flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh water. A full list of safety and storm preparedness tips can be found at: www.nspower.ca/stormready
Outage Information
Customers can report outages and get estimated restoration times online at outagemap.nspower.ca or by calling 1-877-428-6004. For more info on restoration phases visit: http://nspower.ca/storm
QUICK FACTS
• High winds can cause power lines to come down due to trees or branches falling on them;
• the impact varies depending on strength of the wind and how long it lasts;
• wind can also impact restoration efforts as crews must stand down when winds reach 80km/hour until it is safe to go back up in the buckets;
• heavy wet snow and ice can also create significant damage in a small area;
• the extra weight of snow and ice on trees can cause them to bring down power lines, break poles and/or damage equipment, which can also create safety issues for crews restoring power;
• ice and heavy snow can impact road conditions and in turn how quickly crews are able to reach affected areas;
• if temperatures stay low it can lead to longer outages as it takes time to get ice off the lines/equipment;
• the impact can also be felt after snow and ice melts and trees spring back up from the weight of the snow;
• if a customer’s electrical equipment is damaged – such as a meter mast – they need a certified electrician to make repairs before NS Power can safely restore power;
