HRM State of Recovery Alert
(October 6 - 5:00 p.m.)
HRM no longer in State of Emergency As of Sunday, October 5 at 7 p.m., HRM's local State of Emergency was lifted. We are now in a State of Recovery.
HRM Call Centre Hours of Operation Call Centre has returned to regular hours of service: 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.HRM Property Tax payment extension The due date for payment of HRM Property Taxes has been extended to October 14.
HRM Police cancel town hall meetings Three upcoming town hall meetings have been cancelled due to the aftereffects of hurricane Juan: today's meeting in Dartmouth at the North Community Centre on Pinecrest Drive, Thursday's at Keshan Goodman Public Library on Lacewood Drive in Clayton Park and Oct. 16 at the Halifax Grammar School on Tower Road. These meeting will either be rescheduled or merged with remaining meetings on schedule for the last two weeks in October.
HospitalsAll outpatient clinics and day surgeries at the QEII and Dartmouth General Hospital resume today. Outpatient and day hospital services resume at the Abbie J. Lane today. The Capital Health District is now rescheduling 9,000 cancelled day surgery and clinic appointments from last week. Call the QEII at 427-2700 or the Dartmouth General Hospital at 465-8300 for more information.
Comfort Centre UpdateThe Department of Community Services and the Red Cross, in partnership with HRM and the Metro Food Bank, are running Comfort Stations offering hot meals, showers and cots for those residents in areas still without power and water. The Comfort Centers are currently located at Lawrencetown Community Center, Ostrea Lake Fire Station, Oyster Pond Fire Station and Parker Street Food Bank, 2415 Maynard Street. The Harrietsfield Fire Station Comfort Centre is now closed. The Comfort Centers will remain open, for those without power or water in their areas, over the next few days as needed. For further updates, residents may call the HRM Call Center at 490-4000. Meanwhile, those HRM residents whose power has been restored are being encouraged to be a good friend or neighbour and check in on anyone who may still be without and in need.
HRM School BoardAll schools in the Halifax Regional School Board will open on Tuesday, October 7 with the following exceptions:
Bell Park Academic CentreSchools which remain closed, are closed to students and staff with the exception of caretakers and custodians who should report to their school during the day.
Parents should be aware that in many schools there is still limited food service available and students should bring their own lunch where possible.The HRSB would like to thank parents for their patience.
For further specific details, please check the Halifax Regional School Board Web site at www.hrsb.ns.ca or call the School Board Information Line at 464-2000. The next update will be provided no later than 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7.Nova Scotia Power
The restoration times signify when all streetside power lines in each community will be energized. However, individual customers within these areas may experience longer restoration times due to damage to their home's electrical equipment, or highly localized damage to the electrical distribution system in their street or neighbourhood. For affected pockets within the greater Halifax Regional Municipality, the estimated restoration times are as follows:| Area | Neighbourhood | Estimated Restoration Date (end of day) |
| Dartmouth | Woodlawn | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Dartmouth | Portobello | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Dartmouth | Cole HarbourTuesday, Oct. 7 | |
| Dartmouth | North End Dartmouth | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Eastern Shore | Musquodoboit Harbour | Wednesday, Oct. 8 |
| Eastern Shore | LawrencetownMonday, Oct. 6 | |
| Eastern Shore | Cow Bay | Tuesday. Oct. 7 |
| Eastern Shore | Eastern Passage | Monday, Oct 6 |
| Halifax | North End Halifax | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Halifax | South End Halifax | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Halifax | Spryfield | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Halifax | Ketch Harbour | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Halifax | Purcells CoveTuesday, Oct. 7 | |
| Highway 1 | Mt. Uniacke | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Highway 1 | Rawdon | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 2 | Enfield | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 2 | Lantz | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 2 | Wellington/Oakfield | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 3 | Prospect | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 3 | Tantallon | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 3 | Shad Bay | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 3 | St. Margaret's Bay | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 7 | Hwy #7 | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Highway 7 | Preston | Monday, Oct. 6 |
| Highway 7 | Lake Echo | Tuesday, Oct. 7 |
| Highway 7 | Porters Lake | Wednesday, Oct. 8 |
| Sackville | Upper Sackville | Monday, Oct. 6 |
For northeastern Nova Scotia, on Monday, crews will be working to restore power to pockets of the following areas: Shortt's Lake, Wittenburg, Mill Lake, Gay's River, Old Greenfield Road, Hilden, Brookfield and Truro. Nova Scotia Power employees are going door-to-door in the most affected areas. In addition, Nova Scotia Power's call centre staff is making outbound calls to reach out to customers. The call centre is also scheduling service visits for those customers who have had a qualified electrician complete repairs to their home's electrical equipment and are now ready to have their power re-connected.
For those people who have not yet had damage to their home's electrical equipment repaired, the Emergency Measures Organization has compiled a list of qualified electrical contractors. EMO's number is 1-800-670-4357. Nova Scotia Power urges everyone to put safety first and stay away from any downed power lines. This is especially important as many school children return to school today.
Customers, either on their own or through family and friends, are encouraged to visit the NSPI's website at www.nspower.ca or contact Nova Scotia Power's Outage Line at 1 877 428 6004, or in Metro at 428 6004.In anticipation of an increase in the number of requests for assistance related to property damage caused by the recent hurricane, HRM staff are seeking information re: eligibility for federal assistance to community non-profit groups. The following information is provided to assist your office and departmental staff in dealing with such requests:
Federal Disaster Financial Assistance for Community Non-Profit Groups
In anticipation of an increase in the number of requests for assistance related to property damage caused by the recent hurricane, HRM staff are seeking information re: eligibility for federal assistance to community non-profit groups. Prospective applicants should consider the following:
The staff of HRM Grants Program will provide updates as details of eligibility and the application process are made available; we will also serve as a referral point of contact for inquiries from other departments and from the community. Once details are known, we will publicize the availability of assistance through our existing networks and information outlets.
Tagged trees?
Anyone who has had their trees tagged by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) should be referred to CFIA and NOT Natural Resources. Their number is 1-877-868-0662.
Trees that have been stickered are in a quarantined area. The stickers are in place to ward off would be scavengers attempting to pick up this softwood and take it elsewhere, such as Truro. The residents who have been stickered should have also received a letter. The letter tells them the following:If your trees are still standing, leave them there. If there have completely fallen, then have them removed and put to the curb for pick up. HRM crews are separating the softwood from the hardwood in the trucks. If the tree is still standing but leaning over, but does not constitute an immediate danger to the health and safety of any persons, then at some point they will remove the trees and cart them away to a save zone.
If a customer has more questions then please refer them to the above phone number or to their web site www.inspection.ca.
General HRM news
WASTE COLLECTION
Solid Waste Resources
There are extra garbage trucks collecting in South End Halifax as well as West End Halifax where they could not access streets on Saturday, Oct 4. If residents wish to confirm collection, please contact Envirocare Customer Service at 425-1924. We continue to remind all residents to hold onto their leaves until next compost week. Starting tomorrow, Tues, Oct 7 in Halifax only, brush will be collected with a separate truck. Residents may notice that the brush is not collected with same truck as green cart.
For all other areas, if residents have questions regarding missed pick up, please refer customers to their respective customer service call numbers as follows:
Fallen Trees, Storm Debris collection - work crews continue to make progress working alongside NSPI crews and are now working clearing right-of-way areas and trees up against houses and entangled in power lines. HRM expects this work to continue through until Friday. Debris pick-up in the core area has been extended until Tuesday. HRM continues to work with the province of Nova Scotia Department of Transportation in an attempt to arrange a debris removal program outside of the core. It is not expected that this program will begin until early next week.
What do I do with my branches?
| Tree trunks | Branches, limbs | leaf/yard waste |
| cut in 4ft lengths | no longer than 8ft | please hold for later pick up |
NO Burning of Debris-- The NS Department of Natural Resources has order a "No Burn" order.
Traffic and Public Transportation
Public Transit - Metro Transit normal operation, except for a few temporary routes. September transit pass extension has ended - make sure you have obtained your October pass.Access-A-Bus Service
Effective Friday morning, October 3, 2003, Metro Transit's Access-A-Bus service is fully operational . Registered users may contact 490-6999.
Charter Requests
Metro Transit is unable to accommodate any additional charter requests at this time.
Fire Services
Battery operated smoke detectors can be purchased for a nominal fee of $10.00 at various hardware and department stores.
An updated list of Fire departments supplying water to those who do not have well access are as follows: 245 Herring Cove Rd., 45 Knightsridge Dr., Halifax;1 Metropolitan Blvd., Lr. Sackville; 1156 Sackville Dr., Lr. Sackville; 1807 Caldwell Rd., Eastern Passage; 690 Main St, Westphal; 2931 Lawrencetown Rd., Lawrencetown; 3035 # 7 Hwy, Lake Echo; 5543 Hwy # 7 Head Chezzetcook; 32 Riverside Ave., Musquodoboit Hbr; 51 Old Trunk Rd.,Oyster Pond; 2433 Lake Thomas Drive, Waverley; 2101 Prospect Rd., Hatchet Lake; 3610 Prospect Rd.,Shad Bay; 8579 St Margaret's Bay Rd., Black Point; 26 Myra Rd., Timberlea; 4408 St. Margaret's Bay Rd., Lewis Lake; 57 Ketch Harbour Rd., Herring Cove; 964 Ketch Harbour Rd., Ketch Harbour; 1070 Old Sambro Rd, Harrietsfield and Sambro Elementary School. Residents are reminded this water is not for the purpose of drinking water.
Customer Service Centres A
re the Customer Service Centres open?
OPEN- Scotia Square, Alderney Gate, West End Mall, Cole Harbour Place, and Musquodoboit Harbour offices. Closed- Due to the extensive damage to Acadia School, 636 Sackville Drive, it is closed. Acadia School updates: effective Tuesday, October 14, 2003, Planning & Development, Storefront and Taxi & Limousine relocated to a temporary location at the Sackville Sport Stadium, 409 Glendale Drive. Prior to this date, applications can be made at our Alderney Gate office, 40 Alderney Drive or West End Mall office, 6960 Mumford Road. Application inquiries can be made by calling 490 5660 or 490 4490. Building and Engineering Inspections can be obtained by calling the inspector assigned to your permit or you may leave a message at 869 4236. Taxi & Limousine Services will not be available until the temporary office is opened. Storefront services can also be obtained at our Scotia Square office. Should the temporary office be able to re open at Sackville Sports Stadium before October 14th, the public will be notified.Real Property Services
All HRM Sports Fields will be closed at least until next Wednesday, October 8thUniversities
Classes resume today at Dalhousie, King's, Saint Mary's and Mount Saint Vincent University.Community Colleges
Classes at Akerley, Bell Road, Leeds Street and Truro NSCC campuses resumed today.Community Services
How can I access help with food, water or shelter? Please ask them if they are on Provincial Social Assistance. If so, refer them to their caseworker. If they are not on social assistance, they can contact their local Community Services Office so their needs can be assessed.Food Safety
Call the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at 902-424-1173 or www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/foodsafetyWhere can I get fresh water?
Some of the rural and suburban fire stations. Check the HRM website Public Safety Alert for the locations and open times.Water and Water Quality
HRM, East and West Hants 424-7773Reports of Price Gouging
Under the declaration of State of Local Emergency, HRM has the power to prosecute anyone trying to take undue advantage of an emergency situation and price gouging will not be tolerated. For residents who feel they are being overcharged(gouged) by a vendor please call 424-7773Cemetery Visits
HRM residents are requested to postpone visiting cemeteries over the next few days, to allow work crews to clear away the fallen trees in many of our local burying grounds.Districts currently with Vacant Council Seats
For the information of those Metro Area residents whose Districts currently have vacant representation as a result of the recent provincial election, the following HRM Councillors are temporarily representing these additional districts until by elections can be called.:District 2 Waverley/Dutch Settlement formerly Councillor Gary Hines's district is currently represented by Councillor Len Goucher.
District 3 Preston/Porters= Lake formerly Councillor Keith Colwell's area is currently being represented by Councillor Ron CooperDistrict 16 Rockingham/Clayton Park West formerly Councillor Diana Whalen's district is currently represented by Councillor Russell Walker.
These Councillors may be reached by calling the Councillors= Office weekdays, 8:30 am 5pm, at 490 4050 or through the HRM Call Center at 490 4000 from 6 am until 12 midnight, 7 days a week. Councillor Russell Walker may also be reached after 5 PM at 443 8010. Councillor Ron Cooper can be reached at 488-4804.Help Available To Find Certified Construction Electricians
Beginning Saturday October 4th, people having difficulty finding a certified construction electrician to do needed electrical repairs before power is restored to their houses can now call Nova Scotia's public inquiries line at 424-5200 or 1-800-670-4357. The Nova Scotia Home Builders' Association is developing a list of contractors and certified construction electricians who are available in a timely manner.Starting Saturday October 4th, certified electricians wanting to be put on this list can call the Home Builders' association at 1-800-668-2001.
Homeowners must have a certified construction electrician do the repair work, otherwise Nova Scotia Power can not reconnect the power.Useful numbers and info:
Hope Cottage
Open. Call 429-7968.
Metro Food Bank
Open. Call 457-1900
Weather Reports
Daily and 5 day weather forecasts can be accessed by calling Environment Canada's Weather Service line at 426-9090 or the Environment Canada website. Public Inquiries: 424-5200 or 1-800-670-4357Furnace Oil Spills
During business hours 424-7773; After business hours 426-6030 or 1-800-565-1633Insurance Claims
Call your insurance company or the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-800-565-7189, extension 227.Provincial Disaster Assistance Program
For information, visit www.gov.ns.ca/emoRed Cross
If people are calling to volunteer their help (services to cut trees, take in people, supply food, water, equipment, etc.) call 423-3116.The Red Cross has also set up a Disaster Relief Fund.Call 1-800-418-1111 for information or to make donations to the fund by credit card.
General inquiries, please call 1-800-222-9597.Check out the FAQ's for more information
