**** HRM Media Release
Storm impacts on municipal services
The weather system is now clear of the municipality. Temperatures will remain below freezing throughout the day.
There continues to be large-scale power outages in parts of the municipality. Significant surface ice accumulation is seen throughout the municipality. Due to the amount of tree branches down and low-hanging, visibility is reduced in some areas. Those commuting on the roads should exercise caution.
Streets and sidewalks are being cleared on a priority basis. Crews are active in all areas, applying salt to the streets and sidewalks. Those travelling should exercise caution as icy conditions are present.
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.
Solid Waste
A reminder that municipal curbside collection of garbage, organics, and recyclables was cancelled yesterday, 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.
Halifax Transit
Halifax Transit bus, Access-A-Bus and ferry service will resume gradually starting at 10 a.m. today, Saturday, Feb. 5. All bus routes will be on snow plan and there may be delays and cancellations.
For the most up-to-date information on service disruptions, residents can visit halifax.ca/transitalert or follow @hfxtransitalert on Twitter.
Parks & Recreation
Many municipal recreation facilities will be delaying opening until 10 a.m. today, Saturday, Feb. 5, however, some facilities have power outages. Residents should call their local recreation centre for further information.
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. Please monitor @hfxrec on Twitter for updates.
Overnight winter parking ban
A decision on the overnight winter parking ban will be made before 1 p.m. today.
Residents are reminded that 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.
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.
Support for those experiencing homelessness
The municipality is supporting the Province of Nova Scotia to provide temporary emergency shelter to occupants of homeless encampments in the region.
The George Dixon Centre was open as a temporary emergency shelter from 9 p.m. last night to 9 a.m. this morning, Saturday, Feb. 5. The shelter will reopen from 9 p.m. tonight to 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. Those at the shelter will be provided with comfort kits and food.
The St. Matthew’s Warming Center will reopen today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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.
Stay informed
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.
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.
Residents are encouraged to visit halifax.ca/snow or follow @hfxgov on Twitter for updates and information during a weather event.
