**** HRM Media Release
Municipal post-storm update – September 28, 2 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.
Residents are asked to assist with clearing catch basins near their homes, if it is safe to do so, 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 (the gravel lot between the Canada Games Centre and Nova Scotia Soccer League), 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
Curbside solid waste collection will continue as usual on Thursday, September 29. Due to road clearing operations and impacts to solid waste facilities, curbside collection was cancelled on Monday, September 26, Tuesday, September 27 on the Halifax Peninsula as well as Wednesday, September 28 around the Prospect Road area. A supplemental green cart collection will occur in these areas on Monday, October 3, Tuesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 12. For more information visit halifax.ca/recycle.
If your street is not passable for collection vehicles, your solid waste may not be collected on Thursday, September 29. For more information, please contact 311.
The municipality is currently accepting twice the amount of tree waste bundles for organics collection. Residents may set out ten 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 six bags of garbage for curbside collection. Residents may substitute up to five bags of garbage with bags or bundles of construction debris (such as lumber, old roofing, and drywall) for a total of six 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 Wednesday, September 28.
Comfort centres provide food and water, as well as a place to charge devices and receive up-to-date information, when residents are impacted by prolonged power outages, extreme temperatures or other significant events.
These locations will remain open as needed and different 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 211 for support. The municipality continues to provide food in comfort centres, the locations of which can be found halifax.ca/severeweather.
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.
An evacuation centre is a type of emergency facility where evacuees are received, needs are identified, and food and overnight shelter is provided.
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 were affected by the hurricane and providing supports where needed.
Parks and Recreation Centres
Ball diamonds and sport fields will remain closed on Wednesday, September 28. Residents are asked to continue to exercise caution in parks, due to downed branches and trees.
Most recreation centres are opening for regular programs and rentals on Wednesday, September 28. If facilities do not have power, or are required as comfort centres, they may not be open for programs and rentals. Residents are advised to call ahead to their local recreation centre for updates. Contact information for municipally-operated facilities is available online.
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 waste. All other posted signage and parking restrictions including paid parking will be enforced.
Postponed meeting
The Regional Centre Community Council meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, September. 28, is postponed to a date to be determined. For more information, visit our website.
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.
