**** HRM Media Release
Municipal update on flood impacts – July 27, 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 July 27.
Residents are advised that Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement for heavy rainfall that is expected today. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to move into southwestern Nova Scotia this evening and then move east overnight. Total rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 millimeters are anticipated, with higher amounts in thunderstorms.
Heavy rainfall can lead to localized flooding. Residents can register for automated notifications by signing up for hfxALERT, Subscribers to hfxALERT will receive timely alerts by phone, email, and/or text message. Standard text messaging rates apply.
Road Safety
Flash flooding has occurred in numerous areas of the municipality, with many roads washed out and impassable. Water is receding, 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 this map 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 or phone call 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
Flooding is extensive, and crews are doing assessments of roads, buildings and infrastructure. Bridges will require structural assessment before they can be opened, and water levels must be at normal level in order to complete.
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 239 open service requests received to date, while 287 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. 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.
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.
For more information, follow @hfxgov on Twitter, or visit: halifax.ca/flood.
