**** HRM Media Release
Municipal update on storm impacts – July 24, 12 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 12 p.m. on Monday, July 24.
Flooding
Flash flooding has occurred in numerous areas of the municipality, with many roads washed out and impassable. The water is starting to recede but there are still flooded areas.
Residents are asked to refrain from attempting to access blocked areas to hazardous locations. Extreme caution is also advised near the Sackville River and Bedford Highway area 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. It is expected that water levels will recede enough today to start all 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.
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.
Residents are advised to avoid swimming in areas where flooding has occurred for 24-48 hours. Excessive rainfall could contribute to higher bacteria levels in the water.
These higher levels can come from a number of sources, including runoff and sewage bypass practices that are used in some areas during flooding events.
Highway closure
Highway 102 outbound at Exit 5 is down to one lane open.
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. Residents are reminded that collection services can begin as early as 7 a.m.; to ensure collection, materials must be placed curbside the evening prior to collection day. Regular garbage collection limits apply.
Weekly green cart collection is currently proceeding as planned. Please depackage any spoiled food and place in green cart.
For excess food waste, public drop off bins are available to residents at the Ragged Lake Organics Facility (61 Evergreen Place) and Burnside Composting Facility (80 Gloria McCluskey Ave (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Residents are asked to de-package food items if possible. Please follow facility staff instructions. No glass is allowed.
Flood-related demolition, construction and renovation debris (e.g., wood, drywall, carpet, etc.) can be taken to Halifax C&D Recycling (located at 16 Mills Drive, Goodwood and 188 Ross Road, Cole Harbour). Please note that fees apply. For hours of operation, visit: halifaxcdrecycling.ca
Residents looking to self-haul garbage exceeding curbside limits may take their waste to the Otter Lake Waste Facility (located at 600 Otter Lake Drive, Lakeside). Please note that tipping fees apply. See Otter Lake Waste Facility hours of operation.
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.
Sandy Lake Beach in Bedford is closed to swimming until further notice due to an overflowing Halifax Water wastewater pumping station adjacent to the lake. 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
