‘*** HRM Media Release
Municipal post-storm update – September 27, 3:30 p.m.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates and impacts to municipal services as a result of Hurricane Fiona.
Tree waste clearing, catch basins and drop off locations
Motorists are reminded to avoid non-essential travel as crews are working around the clock to clear downed trees, brush and branches. Residents are also reminded to be mindful that there are still numerous streetlights not working due to power outages and to respect rules of the road.
As significant rain continues, residents are asked to assist with clearing catch basins near their home, if it is safe to do so, in order to reduce flooding and improve road safety.
Municipally owned trees that fall on private property are being removed by the municipality. If a tree has fallen in the right of way and is blocking or impeding traffic, a sidewalk, or a bike lane – residents should call 311. For your own safety, residents are reminded to not remove trees in the right of way.
Trees located on private property are the sole responsibility of the homeowner. The municipality is not responsible for removing tree waste and brush from private property.
From Wednesday, September 28 to Wednesday, October 5 there will be a total of eight short-term tree waste drop-offs at the following locations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
- 2 Lyle Street, Dartmouth
- 26 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax
- 50 Cheviot Hill, Porters Lake
- Kinsac Ballfield (near 1703 Beaver Bank Road), Beaver Bank
- Sheet Harbour Community Centre, 183 Pool Rd, Sheet Harbour
- Lake Charlotte Boat Launch, 11475 Highway 7, Lake Charlotte
- Peace Park, 67 Park Road, Musquodoboit Harbour
- Bayer’s Lake Industrial Park, 230 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Halifax
Please note that the drop off location previously announced at 144 Thornhill Drive, Dartmouth is closed.
There is no charge for using this service for tree waste. Residents will be responsible for delivering and unloading all tree waste, brush and branches at these sites at their own risk. Construction debris, bags or other waste will not be accepted at these locations.
Residents can dispose of construction debris at Halifax C&D Recycling Ltd. at 16 Mills Drive, Goodwood or 188 Ross Road, Dartmouth (cash-only payments at the Dartmouth location). This is a private business, and fees apply for disposal. For more information visit halifaxcdrecycling.ca.
Residents are also asked to report downed municipal signs, crosswalk lights and streetlights to 311.
Solid Waste Collection
Due to impacts to solid waste trucking operations, curbside solid waste collection is cancelled for Wednesday, September 28 on Prospect Road including Goodwood, Hatchet Lake, Brookside, Whites Lake, Prospect Bay, and Terence Bay. A supplemental green cart collection (and double the garbage bag limits) for this area will occur on Wednesday, October 12. As per the normal schedule, all other areas will receive regular curbside collection of solid waste on Wednesday, September 28.
If your street is not passable for collection vehicles, your solid waste may not be collected on Wednesday, September 28. For more information, please contact 311.
Curbside collection was cancelled for Monday, September 26 and Tuesday, September 27 in the Halifax peninsula area, with a supplemental green cart collection occurring on Monday, October 3 and Tuesday, October 4 respectively.
The municipality is currently accepting twice the amount of tree waste bundles for organics collection. Residents may set out 10 tree waste bundles as part of their organics collection. Tree waste should be tied in armload-sized bundles. No bundle can exceed 75 pounds and no individual piece can be more than four feet long or larger than eight inches in diameter. Up to 20 paper bags of yard waste will also be accepted.
Single-unit homes are allowed a maximum of 6 bags of garbage for curbside collection. Residents may substitute up to 5 bags of garbage with bags or bundles of construction debris (such as lumber, old roofing, and drywall) for a total of 6 bags of garbage and bundles for collection. No bundles can exceed 75 pounds and no individual piece can be more than four feet long. No construction debris is permitted for collection from multi-unit dwellings.
Comfort centres
There are several comfort centres open throughout the region on Tuesday, September 27.
These locations will remain open as needed and further locations may be opened if necessary. Residents are advised to travel only when it is safe to do so.
Residents are asked to continue to check on their neighbours and friends. Anyone experiencing food insecurity or other challenges is encouraged to contact 311 for support.
Evacuation centre
The Canada Games Centre (26 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax) remains open to residents impacted by structural damage to their homes. This location will remain open as needed.
Note: The Canada Games Centre also hosts a comfort centre.
For any emergency situations, residents are advised to call 911.
Helping support those experiencing homelessness
Outreach workers, including municipal staff, continue to conduct wellness checks on those experiencing homelessness in our community to determine how they fared during the hurricane and providing supports where needed.
Parks, Halifax Public Gardens and Recreation Centres
All-weather fields have reopened. Ball diamonds and sport fields will remain closed on Tuesday, September 27.
The Halifax Public Gardens reopened on Tuesday, September 27.
Most recreation facilities that are not being used for essential services (e.g. comfort centres or evacuation centres) will remain closed Tuesday, September 27. Residents are advised to call ahead to their local recreation centre for updates. Contact information for municipally-operated facilities is available online.
Shubie Park and Point Pleasant Park reopened on Tuesday, September 27. Residents are still strongly advised to avoid visiting other municipal parks until any damage has been addressed, which may take several days.
Residents are also advised to exercise caution in Sir Sandford Fleming Park, which also has many downed trees and branches.
Camp Hill Cemetery reopened on Tuesday, September 27. Scheduled burials will be permitted on Tuesday, September 27 at Fairview Lawn Cemetery and the cemetery will reopen to the public on Wednesday, September 28.
Halifax Transit
All Halifax Transit bus, Access-A-Bus and ferry services have resumed.
Detours and delays may still occur for some routes due to downed trees, power outages and debris. For updates on service disruptions, visit their website and follow @hfxtransit on Twitter.
Parking
Overnight street cleaning enforcement has been suspended for the rest of the week resuming Monday, October 3. Residents are still encouraged to move their vehicles off-street as they are able, to assist with crews clearing tree debris. All other posted signage and parking restrictions including paid parking will be enforced.
For the latest updates on response efforts and information regarding municipal service impacts due to Hurricane Fiona, visit our website or follow @hfxgov on Twitter.
