**** HRM Media Release
Municipal update on storm impacts – July 23, 4 p.m.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates and impacts to municipal services as a result of the storm system. The following information is current as of 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 23.
Flooding
Flash flooding has occurred in numerous areas of the municipality, with many roads washed out and impassable. High tides are impacting the ability of the water to recede. The municipality hopes to see water levels start to recede tomorrow morning.
Residents are advised to stay off the roads as there is significant damage to roads and infrastructure. Conditions are not safe for vehicles and pedestrians at this time. Residents are asked to refrain from attempting to access blocked areas to hazardous locations. Extreme caution is also advised near the Sackville River and residents are advised to stay away from flood water in all areas.
The flooding is extensive, and crews are doing assessments of roads, buildings and infrastructure. There are several roads and bridges that remain flooded and underwater. Bridges will require a structural assessment before they can be opened, and water levels must be at normal level to complete those assessments.
Operations staff are focusing on clearing roads and removing debris from the right-of-way, to open roads, make them safe and allow emergency access. Inspection staff are actively assessing areas and determining damage with over 400 public infrastructure service requests to-date for necessary repairs.
The municipality is working with Halifax Water and the Province of Nova Scotia, along with other partners, to coordinate and prioritize necessary repairs to infrastructure.
Repairs will be extensive and will need to be prioritized. Priority areas will be completed first with other areas to follow. Some repairs will take several days or weeks. Additional information on repair scheduling will be provided once the water has receded, allowing for all assessments to be completed.
There are still a number of areas which are not accessible and concerns about safety of residents and the ability to move around the municipality. As a result, municipal offices will be closed tomorrow, Monday, July 24, and any administrative staff who can work remotely are being asked to do so. This will help to reduce traffic and allow crews to continue assessments and repairs.
Residents dealing with flooding on their properties are asked to shelter in place, unless it is an emergency. This is to ensure roads are clear so they can be repaired and reopened in a timely manner. See a map of blocked roads due to flooding. Crews continue to assess locations and the map will be updated as new areas are determined.
Emergency flooding calls are to be directed to Halifax Water at 902.420.9287; call volumes remain high, and residents are asked for their patience. Residents who notice damage to roads and infrastructure are asked to report it to 311 or email hrm_emo@halifax.ca.
The Halifax Water system is safe to drink. See the Province of Nova Scotia’s fact sheet on using well water after a flood.
Highway closure
Highway 102 outbound at Exit 5 is down to one lane open. In addition, Highway 2 will be closed from the Fall River roundabout to the corner of Fall River Road and Highway 2.
Halifax Transit
Due to flooding throughout the municipality and extensive road damage, there are significant delays and detours throughout the Halifax Transit system, especially in the Sackville and Bedford areas. Updates are shared on halifax.ca/transit, as well as @hfxtransit on Twitter.
Evacuation Centres
The municipality has opened an evacuation centre for residents dealing with power outages and flooding. An evacuation centre is a type of emergency facility which is opened when residents have to be evacuated from their homes due to a specific emergency event and where evacuees are received, needs are identified, and food, water and overnight accommodations are provided.
The East Dartmouth Community Centre (50 Caledonia Road, Dartmouth) will remain open until further notice. The Red Cross will be on-site to provide support for those displaced by the floods.
There are currently approximately 200 residents displaced by the floods.
Solid Waste
Curbside collection is proceeding as planned where roads are passable.
Debris generated from damaged properties can be taken to Halifax C&D (16 Mills Drive Goodwood and 188 Ross Road Cole Harbour). Tipping fees apply.
Parks & Recreation
All natural turf sport fields are closed, all ball diamonds are closed, and all-weather fields are open. For the latest updates, visit our website.
Fish Hatchery Park and Range Park will remain closed until further notice.
Please use caution when using parks and trails and avoid areas that have been affected by flooding where there may be wash outs, debris, standing water or other unsafe conditions.
Please avoid recreating on lakes and rivers at this time, as safety is still a concern and shorelines remain extremely susceptible to further damage.
The Bedford Outdoor Pool is significantly damaged and remains closed until further notice.
Recreation centres will largely be open, but some located in the impacted areas may be closed. Residents should call ahead to their recreation facility.
For more information, follow @hfxgov on Twitter, or visit: halifax.ca/flood
