News Release

Mayor Urges Residents To Take Storm Precautions

(Friday, November 2/07)-- Mayor Peter Kelly today urged residents of Halifax Regional Municipality to ensure they have emergency supplies and take appropriate precautions in light of the heavy rains and high winds forecast for this weekend.

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for the HRM area, advising that the post-tropical storm Noel is expected to approach Nova Scotia tomorrow and then track across the Gulf of St Lawrence on Sunday. The main threat with this system will be high winds and heavy rain. Gusty easterly winds to 100 km/h will develop Saturday afternoon along the Atlantic coast. Rainfall amounts of 40 to 60 millimetres are expected especially over the western half of Nova Scotia. Conditions are forecast to gradually improve on Sunday.

Mayor Kelly said residents should be prepared in the event of power outages, flooding and property damage due to high winds and heavy rainfall. EMO, the Red Cross and many other emergency response agencies regularly recommend that citizens be prepared to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours during a natural disaster or public emergency.

The Mayor said residents should have things such as an ample supply of food, potable water,
flashlights, batteries, a transistor radio and an emergency response plan for all family members in the event they are forced to evacuate their homes and neighbourhood.

“Storm weather is being forecast, not a hurricane, but I believe its always better to be safe than sorry. We live in a coastal region and sometimes our weather is a little more severe than in other provinces,” he said.

Mayor Kelly also reminded residents to ensure catch basins in front of their property are clear and free of fallen leaves and other debris to prevent flooding.

Residents are asked to stay tuned for Environment Canada and media weather updates (including emergency Community Radio at 97.9 FM) over the weekend for any new storm developments.

-30–

Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010