**** HRM Media Release
Hurricane Fiona update and municipal service impacts
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates and impacts to municipal services as a result of Hurricane Fiona.
The following information is current as of 4 p.m. on Friday, September 23.
Weather update
Heavy rain with accumulation up to 150 mm, and high winds exceeding 140 km/h
are expected for today and continuing through Saturday.
High storm surges are expected, and all residents should stay away from all areas of the coast or any low-lying areas. Be ready to move inland or to higher ground.
The largest threat to homes and property is flying debris. Please move umbrellas and patio furniture inside and remove anything that high winds could pick up such as garbage containers/bags, flowerpots, toys etc.
To reduce the likelihood of flooding, residents are asked to clear debris from catch basins located near their property prior to the storm if they are able to do so safely.
Tree debris and safety
As tree damage and debris are expected with this storm, residents are reminded to not clear downed trees in the municipal-right-of-way or in municipal parks for safety reasons. If there is a downed tree on a street, park or in the right-of-way, residents are asked to call 311. Staff will assess damage during and after the storm.
Residents should not remove or trim branches near a power line. If a tree or tree limbs have fallen on a power line or pulled it down, keep a safe distance from the line or the tree and contact Nova Scotia Power or call 911 in the event of an emergency.
Residents are also reminded to stay away from damaged areas and fallen power lines and watch out for debris such as sheet metal, glass or other sharp material.
Halifax Transit
Halifax Transit bus, Access-A-Bus and ferry service will be suspended as of 8:30 p.m. on Friday, September 23. Any busses in service at 8:30 p.m. will complete their trips.
In terms of ferry service:
- The last ferry from Alderney to Halifax will depart at 8 p.m.
- The last ferry from Halifax to Alderney will depart at 8:15 p.m.
- The last ferry from Woodside to Halifax will depart at 8:07 p.m.
- The last ferry from Halifax to Woodside will depart at 8:22 p.m.
On Saturday, September 24, it is anticipated that service will continue to be suspended, or that the start of service will be delayed. Until a further announcement is made, service will remain suspended. When available, updated information will be shared on halifax.ca, as well as @hfxtransit on Twitter.
Parks & Recreation
All ball diamonds, sport fields and all-weather fields will be closed starting Friday, September 23, until end of the day on Sunday, September 25. Staff will be assessing field conditions as soon as it is safe to do so and determine if further closures are required.
All recreation centres will be closing at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 23 and will remain closed on Saturday, September 24. Facilities will assess reopening on Sunday, September 25 for noon. As recreation centres may experience delays in reopening due to power outages or damage, residents are asked to call ahead to local recreation centres for updates.
Due to safety concerns, residents are strongly advised to avoid visiting municipal parks until the storm has passed and potential damage, including downed trees, has been addressed, which may take several days.
The Halifax Public Gardens will close on Friday, September 23 at its regular time and will remain closed over the weekend. An announcement on reopening will be made once an assessment has occurred once the storm has passed
Residents are advised to check for updates at halifax.ca and to call ahead to your respective facility for updates. Contact information for municipally-operated facilities is available online.
All programming for Hopscotch Halifax has been postponed until Sunday, September 25. More details will be announced on the webpage soon.
Solid Waste
The Mobile Household Special Waste event planned for Saturday, September 24 at the Horizon Community School in Eastern Passage is cancelled. This event is rescheduled for Saturday, October 29 at the same location.
The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility and the Household Special Waste Depot located at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, as well as the Musquodoboit and Sheet Harbour refuse depots will be closed on Saturday, September 24.
For further information on solid waste, visit: halifax.ca/recycle.
Evacuation centres
Evacuation centres are being opened at the following locations:
- Canada Games Centre, 26 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax
- Acadia Centre, 636 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville
- St Margaret’s Centre, 12 Westwood Boulevard, Upper Tantallon
- Musquodoboit Harbour Recreation Centre & Library, 7900 Highway 7, Musquodoboit Harbour
These locations will be open starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 23. They will remain open until the storm passes, or as needed. Further locations may be opened if necessary. Residents can self-evacuate to these centres anytime during the storm however, they are advised to travel only when it is safe to do so. If residents experience damage to their homes during the storm and cannot safely evacuate, they should call 911.
Comfort centres
Once the storm has passed and it is safe to do so, an assessment will be made by the municipality to determine when and where comfort centres should be set up.
Comfort centres provide food and water, as well as a place to recharge electronic devices and receive up-to-date information, when residents are impacted by prolonged power outages, extreme temperatures or other significant events.
The locations vary depending on which community/communities have been impacted. Comfort centres are generally located in municipal facilities where they exist. The hours vary depending on the type of impact on the community/communities.
Helping support those experiencing homelessness
In partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, the East Dartmouth Community Centre is being opened as an emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 23. Staffing is being provided by 902 Man Up.
Another emergency shelter will be opened in Sackville, located at the St. Elizabeth Seton Church, with Beacon House as the service provider. Staffing and food costs at both locations will be funded by the province.
Street Outreach Navigators and outreach workers have been visiting encampment sites to advise people on the sheltering options are available. Transportation to these shelters is being organized through the municipality in coordination with the province.
The Halifax Ground Search and Rescue team will be doing wellness checks during the hurricane to check on the safety of anyone who chooses not to leave an encampment or outdoor sheltering location.
Halifax Public Libraries
For the latest information on the status of all Halifax Public Library locations and services, please visit their website.
Please visit: halifax.ca/hurricanes or follow @hfxgov on Twitter for all storm-related updates.
