**** HRM Media Release

Storm impacts and preparedness tips

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UPDATE: Operations are active in all areas. Crews are applying salt and brine to the streets and sidewalks. Residents should exercise caution commuting, as icy conditions are present.

The Halifax Regional Municipality continues to monitor the weather forecast, with a complex weather system expected to move into the Halifax region tomorrow.

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Current forecasts indicate a significant amount of freezing rain and ice pellets. Rain will begin today, switching to freezing rain on Friday. This system may cause power outages, downed trees and hazardous road conditions.

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Crews remain on standby in anticipation of the impending storm. Crews are not applying salt and brine to the streets and sidewalks at this time, as the heavy rain would wash it away. The focus is on preparing vehicles and equipment, as well as snow removal detail work from the previous storm.

Impact of COVID-19 on municipal service standards

Due to resourcing challenges as a result of the impacts of COVID-19, including employee exposures and provincially mandated self-isolation and testing requirements, service standards are expected to be impacted. This includes Halifax Transit, solid waste, some recreation centres and other municipal operations. For the most up-to-date information on municipal impacts as a result of COVID-19, visit​ halifax.ca.​

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Solid Waste

Municipal curbside collection of garbage, organics, and recyclables has been cancelled for Friday, Feb. 4.​

For the Middle Musquodoboit, Sheet Harbour and Malay Falls areas, solid waste collection will be rescheduled to Monday, Feb. 7. For all other areas, solid waste collection will be rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 12. Garbage, organics, and recyclables that were scheduled to be collected on Friday, Feb. 4 will be collected on the noted rescheduled date.

The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility, Municipal Recycling Plant, Dartmouth and Ragged Lake Composting Facilities, and Middle Musquodoboit and Sheet Harbour Refuse Depots​ will be closed on Friday, Feb. 4.

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Halifax Transit

All Halifax Transit service, including Access-A-Bus and ferries, will end for the remainder of the day at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 4. Any buses in service prior to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4 will complete their routes. Halifax Transit will be actively monitoring the situation and will resume services as soon as it is safe to do so.

For the most up-to-date information on service disruptions, residents can visit halifax.ca/transit or follow @hfxtransit on Twitter.

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Parks & Recreation

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Many municipal recreation facilities will be closed for the day on Friday, Feb. 4, reopening on Saturday, Feb. 5. Residents should call their local recreation centre for further information.​

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Due to safety concerns, residents are advised to exercise caution if visiting municipal parks until the storm has passed and potential damage, including downed trees, has been addressed. The Halifax Public Gardens will remain closed until Saturday, Feb. 5, at which time reopening will be reassessed. Please monitor @hfxrec on Twitter for updates.

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Municipal offices

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Municipal offices, including in-person Customer Service Centres, will be closed on Friday, Feb. 4. Employees who are able to work from home are being asked to do so.

Overnight winter parking ban​

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The overnight winter parking ban will not be enforced tonight; however, regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed, day or night, at any time of year, if they are interfering with snow-clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.​

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Overnight winter parking bans are communicated via public service announcements, hfxALERT,​ halifax.ca​ and​ @hfxgov on Twitter. Residents who are signed up for hfxALERT will continue to receive notifications for all overnight winter parking ban scenarios.​

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Support for those experiencing homelessness

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The municipality is supporting the Province of Nova Scotia to provide temporary emergency shelter to occupants of homeless encampments in the region.​

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The George Dixon Centre will open as a temporary emergency shelter from 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5. Those at the shelter will be provided with comfort kits and food. A decision will be made on Saturday morning whether to reopen the shelter on Saturday night, based on conditions.

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The St. Matthew’s Warming Center will be open on both Friday, Feb. 4 and Saturday, Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

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Ground Search & Rescue remains on standby to visit locations where the municipality is aware of occupants of homeless encampments and offer transportation to these facilities.

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Property damage

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The largest threat to homes and property is flying debris. Residents are asked to move all items inside that high winds could pick up, such as umbrellas, patio furniture, garbage, flower pots, toys, etc.

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Residents who can safely do so are encouraged to clear nearby storm drains of debris, helping to reduce the likelihood of water pooling in the area.

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Additionally, keeping trees and vegetation around your property pruned and healthy reduces the impact caused by high winds.

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Preparedness tips

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With the potential for power outages, residents are encouraged to visit halifax.ca for a full list of preparedness and emergency kit tips. Residents with wells are encouraged to fill water jugs and bathtubs, as a loss of power will prevent access to well water that relies on electric pumps.​

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Emergency food and water should be on hand for all family members, including pets. All personal vehicles should be filled with fuel and cell phones should be charged. Many households are now solely reliant on cell phones, so battery chargers are recommended. Flashlights should also be equipped with new batteries.

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Special items, such as prescription medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, and medication for pets or service animals, should be gathered before the storm.

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Cash should also be on hand in the event of a power outage, as bank machines may be non-operational.

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Safety

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Residents are reminded to never operate a generator, barbecue or any other fuel filled item inside a home or garage.

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Residents are also urged to stay away from the coastline during any severe weather event due to dangers associated with potential storm surge(s).

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Residents who can safely do so are encouraged to clear their nearby fire hydrants, if snow-covered, or to call 311 to report.

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Stay informed

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Residents are urged to sign-up for hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system. Subscribers will receive alerts by phone, email or text. Sign up at​ halifax.ca/hfxalert.​

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Residents can also call 311 for updated information on municipal services, or to report issues such as flooding, downed trees or blocked roadways. For emergencies, residents should call 911.

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Residents are encouraged to visit​ halifax.ca/snow​ or follow​ @hfxgov on Twitter for updates and information during a weather event.

 

**** NSP Media Release

Nova Scotia Power activating its Emergency Operations Centre

Nova Scotia Power is activating its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 7:00am Friday (February 4), in advance of the fifth major winter storm expected to hit the province in the last four weeks.

“So far this year, we have a seen a significant number of severe weather systems impact Nova Scotia,” says Sean Borden, Nova Scotia Power’s storm lead. “Weather forecasts are calling for a heavy amount of rain, freezing rain, snow and ice pellets beginning overnight Thursday and continuing all day Friday. We are positioning power line crews, forestry and other teams across the province, so we are ready to safely respond as quickly as possible for our customers.”

The EOC is staffed with employees from all parts of the company. It provides a central place to coordinate planning for outage restoration and response. Nova Scotia Power is also coordinating closely with the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office and has a team onsite to help coordinate the response.
“Based on the current forecast this weather system is expected to impact the entire province,” Borden said. “We are taking every precaution and ensuring we have our team and resources, in the right places so we are ready to respond.”

Customer Safety

NS Power encourages customers to monitor their local weather forecasts and prepare accordingly. Some tips include having an emergency kit with flashlights, battery-powered radio and fresh water. For a full list of safety and storm preparedness tips: www.nspower.ca/stormready

Outage Information

Customers can report outages and get estimated times of restoration (ETRs) online at outagemap.nspower.ca or by calling 1-877-428-6004. For more info on how power is restored in a storm, please visit: http://nspower.ca/storm
Damaged Electrical Equipment
Sometimes a customer’s electrical equipment – such as a meter mast – can get damaged in a storm. If this happens, it’s important to remember they will need a certified electrician to make repairs before NS Power can safely restore their power.

QUICK FACTS
• ice storms can cause power lines to come down due to ice covered trees or branches falling on them;
• similar to heavy wet snow, ice accumulation can create significant damage in a small area;
• power lines can come down with significant weight of ice on wires and nearby trees/branches;
• the extra weight of snow and ice can bring power lines down and can also break poles and damage equipment, which can also create safety issues for crews working to restore power;
• the impact can vary depending on the amount of ice accumulation, how long it lasts and how fast the system moves across a region/province;