**** HRM Media Release
Municipal update on storm impacts – July 25, 1:30 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 1:30 p.m. on July 25.
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.
Motorcyclists and cyclists should use extra caution with debris on the road and should not drive on the shoulders of the road as many are compromised.
Residents can refer to a new map (updated July 25), which shows blocked roads and infrastructure damage.
Registry
Residents who cannot leave their properties due to road and culvert damage are encouraged 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.
Flooding
The flooding is extensive and crews are doing assessments of roads, buildings and infrastructure. 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 to make them safe and allow emergency access. Inspection staff are actively assessing areas and determining damage, with 346 open service requests received to date, while 132 service requests have been closed.
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 all assessments are 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. Excessive rainfall may 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.
Evacuation Centres
The municipality has opened an evacuation centre for residents dealing with power outages and flooding.
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.
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.
There are currently approximately 200 residents displaced by the floods.
Solid Waste
Starting Wednesday, July 26 and continuing until Friday, August 4, garbage set out limits will be increased from six to eight bags of garbage. Each bag of garbage may be substituted for one bundle of flood related debris. Normal collection requirements still apply, including bundle weight (up to 75 pounds) and size (less than 4 feet) limits, and the collection of one bulky item (e.g. couch), one privacy bag (with the remainder being clear bags) per garbage collection cycle. For more information, visit our website.
Curbside collection is underway where roads are passable. Residents are reminded that collection services can begin as early as 7 a.m. To ensure collection, materials may be placed curbside the evening prior to collection day.
Weekly green cart collection is underway. Please separate food from packages and place any spoiled food in the 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 Avenue) Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Residents are asked to separate food from containers. 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
For the latest updates on natural turf sports fields, ball diamonds, and all-weather fields, visit our website.
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 are mostly 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
