****HRM Media Release
Municipal update on the impacts of Hurricane Lee – September 16, 11:20 a.m.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates and impacts to municipal services as a result of Hurricane Lee. Municipal service adjustments will continue to be made throughout the severe weather event. For the latest information, visit our website.
Weather update
While heavy rain is expected to continue through the day, the most significant impacts will be the wind and storm surge.
Peak wind gusts are expected to be within the 90 to 110 kilometre per hour range over the next few hours.
The largest threat to homes and property is flying debris. Please move umbrellas and patio furniture inside and remove anything that high winds could pick up such as garbage bins, flowerpots, toys, etc.
To reduce the likelihood of flooding, residents are asked to clear debris from catch basins located near their property prior to the storm if they are able to do so safely.
Safety
Peggy’s Cove is closed to the public. Residents are advised to avoid shoreline areas as they pose an extreme risk, especially during peak tides. In addition to Peggy’s Cove, areas of significant concern are the Eastern Shore and the Bedford, Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts.
Residents are urged to remain off the roads for non-essential travel as there are several reports of downed trees and powerlines across the region. Many shoreline roads are now closed due to washouts and impassible conditions.
Residents are requested to report any damage to 311.
See a map of closed roads due to downed powerlines and the storm surge. Crews and first responders continue to assess locations and the map will be updated as new areas are determined.
Register for hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system to receive urgent and non-urgent public alerts by phone, email or text. Sign up here.
For more information about storm preparedness, visit our website.
Parks and Recreation Centres
Due to weather conditions, downed trees and widespread power outages on Saturday, September 16 all municipal parks and most municipal recreation facilities will be closed for the remainder of the day. Contact your local recreation centre for more information.
Staff are notifying rental groups and participants and will be updating voice mails.
As previously announced, all grass fields, all-weather fields and the Halifax Public Gardens will be closed this weekend. Residents may check field conditions on our website.
Halifax Transit
Residents are advised of the following significant service disruptions:
- The MacDonald and MacKay Bridges are closed to high-sided vehicles and buses will be re-routed as required; and
- Ferry operations were suspended as of 10:15 a.m.
Most conventional bus and Access-A-Bus trips are expected to continue as scheduled throughout the day; however, residents should expect delays as the weather system moves through the region over the next 24 hours. Updates are shared on halifax.ca/transit, as well as Twitter (X).
Solid Waste
As previously announced, the following closures/cancellations are in effect for Saturday, September 16:
- The mobile Household Special Waste event planned for at the Eastern Shore Community Centre is cancelled and will be rescheduled.
- The permanent Household Special Waste Depot located at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive will be closed.
- The Middle Musquodoboit Rural Refuse Depot located at 249 Sibley Road, Middle Musquodoboit will be closed.
- The Sheet Harbour Rural Refuse Depot located at 21611 Nova Scotia Trunk 7, Sheet Harbour will be closed.
For more information visit our website.
Helping address homelessness
As previously announced, the Province of Nova Scotia is operating the following emergency shelters for those experiencing homelessness as of 6 p.m. on Friday, September 15:
- Captain Spry Community Centre (16 Sussex Street, Halifax)
- St. Matthew’s Church (1479 Barrington Street, Halifax)
- Beacon House (125 Metropolitan Avenue, Lower Sackville)
Street Outreach Navigators are currently visiting encampment sites to advise people of sheltering options available.
The Halifax Ground Search and Rescue team continue to do wellness checks today to check on the safety of anyone who chooses not to leave an encampment or outdoor sheltering location.
Halifax Public Libraries
Due to weather conditions and widespread power outages on Saturday September 16, 2023, all branches of the Halifax Public Libraries will be closed for the remainder of the day.
For more information, visit our website and follow us on Twitter (X), Facebook and Instagram.
