**** HRM Media Release
Municipal post-storm update – September 24, 3 p.m.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates and impacts to municipal services as a result of Hurricane Fiona.
Weather update
Hurricane Fiona made landfall between Canso and Guysborough on Saturday, September 24 between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Strong winds and the risk of coastal flooding are forecasted to continue for the remainder of the day. Clean-up efforts are currently underway across the municipality and residents are urged to remain off the roads for non-essential travel while work crews focus on priority areas.
Tree debris and safety
It is critical that streets are clear of motorists, as this will assist emergency first responders who may need to adjust their routes due to debris and blocked streets.
Municipally owned trees that fall on private property will be removed by the municipality. If a tree falls in the right of way and is blocking or impeding traffic, a sidewalk, or a bike lane – residents should call 311. For their own safety, residents are reminded to not remove trees in the right of way on their own accord.
Crews are prioritizing clearing hospital routes, main roads and streets that are completely obstructed across the municipality. Municipal public works staff will be assisted in their efforts by external service providers to supplement clean-up efforts.
Trees located on private land will be the sole responsibility of the homeowner. The municipality is not responsible for removing brush and debris from private property.
Halifax Transit
All Halifax Transit service will be suspended on Saturday, Sept. 24. There will be no bus or ferry service until a further announcement is made, via halifax.ca/severeweather or @hfxtransit on twitter.
Evacuation centres
Evacuation centres are open at the following locations:
- Canada Games Centre, 26 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax
- Acadia Centre (within the Sackville Public Library), 636 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville
- St Margaret’s Centre, 12 Westwood Boulevard, Upper Tantallon
These locations will remain open as needed and further locations may be opened if necessary. Residents can self-evacuate to these centres anytime; however, they are advised to travel only when it is safe to do so.
The evacuation centre at the Musquodoboit Harbour Recreation Centre & Library has been closed as residents do not currently require it for sheltering and this will allow staff and volunteers to redeploy to other locations as needed.
For any emergency situations, residents are advised to call 911.
Comfort centres
Comfort centres are currently open at the following locations:
- Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre, 1583 Beaver Bank Road, Beaver Bank
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch #58, 23566 Nova Scotia Trunk 7, Sheet Harbour
- Prospect Road Community Centre, 2141 Prospect Road, Hatchet Lake
These locations will remain open as needed and further locations may be opened if necessary. Residents can proceed to these centres anytime; however, they are advised to travel only when it is safe to do so.
Comfort centres provide food and water, as well as a place to recharge 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 has been 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 is open 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.
Municipal staff and volunteers are still conducting wellness checks during the hurricane to check on the safety of anyone who chooses not to leave an encampment or outdoor sheltering location.
Parks, Halifax Public Gardens and Recreation Centres
As previously announced, all ball diamonds, sport fields and all-weather fields remain closed until end of the day on Sunday, September 25. Staff are assessing field conditions to determine if further closures are required. All recreation centres remained closed on Saturday, September 24.
Due to safety concerns, Shubie Park and Point Pleasant Park are closed given the presence of fallen trees as well as broken and hanging branches. Residents are still strongly advised to avoid visiting other municipal parks until any damage has been addressed, which may take several days.
The Halifax Public Gardens remain closed over the weekend. An announcement on reopening will be made once an assessment has occurred.
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.
Telecommunication challenges
Municipal emergency and key operational communications systems are available and working well. However, like many residents across the region, municipal staff are also experiencing telecommunication challenges which is impacting coordinating community response efforts, like setting up comfort centres. Municipal staff are working closely with industry partners to rectify the issue.
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 or follow @hfxgov on Twitter for all post-storm-related updates.
