PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Storm Update #1 - November 14, 2004
(Sunday, November 14/04
12-Noon)-- An early winter storm has left parts of Halifax Regional
Municipality and many other areas of Nova Scotia without electricity.
HRM has activated its Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) Operations
Centre to help coordinate the delivery of municipal services, as
well as to work with other outside agencies to ensure the community
is restored to normal operations as soon as possible.
Weather Conditions- HRM has been advised by the local Environment
Canada weather office that storm conditions should continue throughout
the day, bringing rain, drizzle and ice pellets to most parts of
the region. Strong gusting and high winds are expected to continue
throughout most of the day.
Burnside Industrial Park- Main power transmission lines through
Burnside Park are downed due to the storm. As result, all access
roads to Burnside will be closed to traffic as power crews attempt
to remove the downed wires. Business owners/operators are advised
not to attempt to travel to their businesses and all members of
the public are advised not to try to access Burnside Park.
Downed Power Lines- HRP and RCMP caution members of the public to
exercise extreme caution if power lines are downed in their neighbourhood.
Residents are urged to contact Nova Scotia Power as quickly as possible
to report downed lines.
Traffic- Halifax Regional Police and RCMP are urging motorists to
remain off streets and roads, except for emergencies. Snow and ice
crews are continuing to focus on keeping major arteries, transit
routes and hospital routes open. It is unlikely they will be able
to make any considerable progress on residential streets until sometime
overnight.
Fire hazards/Safety- Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency advise
residents to exercise extreme caution if forced to use candles for
light and fireplaces/heaters as a source of heat due to power outages.
Candles should be kept safely away from children and residents are
advised to ensure there is proper ventilation if they are using
fireplaces/heaters at all times.
Transit/Ferry Service- Metro Transit is trying to maintain regular
weekend service schedules, but riders are advised to expect delays
because many of the routes remain impassable due to the heavy snowfall
and drifting.
-30-
John O’Brien
Corporate Communications officer
(902) 476-3802
