**** HRM Media Release
UPDATE: For those who plan to self-evacuate, please call 311 to self-register by 8 p.m., to provide time for staff to plan adequately. This is a voluntary self-evacuation for those living in the Sambro area, Peggys Cove, Eastern shore and in low-lying coastal areas who are close to the water.
If there are calls to 311 regarding evacuations after 8 p.m., emergency services will respond accordingly.
Municipality prepares for impacts of Hurricane Teddy
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates and impacts to municipal services as a result of Hurricane Teddy.
The following information is correct as of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Weather Update:
Heavy rain with accumulation up to 130 mm, sustained high winds of 90 km/h and gusts up to 120 km/h are expected to continue overnight into Wednesday. This storm is currently moving slowly, meaning these conditions will be impacting the region for an estimated period of 18 to 30 hours.
High storm surges are expected, and all residents should stay away from all areas of the coast or any low-lying areas, including the waterfronts in downtown Halifax and Dartmouth. Be ready to move inland or to higher ground.
Weather conditions are dangerous. The public is urged to stay off the roads for their own safety and avoid impeding efforts by first responders in emergency situations.
The road to Peggy’s Cove, Lawrencetown Road, and Highway Number 207 from Seaforth and Chezzetcook have been closed to non-residents.
Municipal offices will be closed for the morning, and an update to staff will be provided before noon.
Halifax Transit
Bus and Access-A-Bus service will be suspended as of 7 p.m. today, and ferry service was suspended as of 2:30 p.m. Any trips that began before 7 p.m. will complete their route. At this time, service will resume no earlier than noon on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Further updates will be provided Wednesday morning.
Self-evacuation
Citizens living in high-risk areas in the Sambro area, Peggys Cove, and along the Eastern Shore are asked to make plans immediately to self-evacuate. Citizens are encouraged to be in alternative locations prior to the arrival of the storm. Please contact 311 by 8 p.m. to self-register if you plan to self-evacuate for safety reasons. If there are calls to 311 regarding evacuations after 8 p.m., emergency services will respond accordingly.
Parks & Recreation
Municipally-operated recreation centres will be closing as of 6 p.m. Information on reopening will be shared as it becomes available. Please call ahead to your local recreation centre for updates.
Municipal sports fields, all-weather fields, tracks and baseball diamonds are closed and all bookings have been cancelled. An announcement on reopening will be made once the impacts to these facilities have been assessed.
Due to safety concerns, residents are advised to avoid visiting municipal parks until the storm has passed and potential damage, including downed trees, has been addressed.
Solid Waste
Curbside collection of garbage, organics, and recyclables is cancelled for Wednesday, Sept. 23 and is rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.
The household special waste depot for Saturday, Sept. 26 is cancelled, and is expected to resume on the following Saturday, Oct. 3. For further schedule details visit our website at: www.halifax.ca/HSWDepot.
Residents and commercial solid waste haulers are also advised that several facilities will be closed on Wednesday, September 23. For full details, visit www.halifax.ca/recycle
Please visit halifax.ca/hurricanes or follow @hfxgov on Twitter for all storm-related updates.
