**** HRM Media Release
Municipal update on storm impacts – July 24, 5:30 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 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24.
Road Safety
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.
The Bedford Highway is now open, as well as Dartmouth Road. Motorists should not drive on or move pylons, caution tape, or any other barriers as they are marking hazardous conditions.
Union Street will remain closed, and the Shore Drive Bridge is open for motorists but remains closed for pedestrians.
Highway 102 outbound at Exit 5 is down to one lane open.
Residents can refer to the map of blocked roads due to flooding.
Motorcyclists and cyclists should use extra caution with debris on the road, and motorist shouldn’t drive on the shoulders of the road as many are compromised.
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.
Flooding
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. Residents can also refer to resources on novascotia.ca/storm-support.
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.
Registry
The municipality is asking residents who cannot leave their properties due to road and culvert damage to register at halifax.ca/flooding-registry. Registering will assist in identifying critical needs of residents so that the municipality can follow up with relevant resources. Residents can anticipate a follow-up email within 24 hours of registering, with subsequent phone calls as needed. If further assistance is required to complete the online registration, residents can contact 311.
Municipal offices closure
Municipal offices will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, July 25, 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. Please note that there will be no in-person service at 311 Customer Service Centres tomorrow, but residents can still call 311.
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 Avenye) Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 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 (600 Otter Lake Drive, Lakeside). Please note that tipping fees apply. See Otter Lake Waste Facility hours of operation.
Parks & Recreation
Natural turf sports fields, ball diamonds, and all-weather fields are open, with certain exceptions. 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.
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
