Media Advisory
Hurricane Earl Update as of 11 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010

(September 4, 2010) - HRM’s Emergency Management Office (EMO) emergency operations centre continues to monitor hurricane Earl’s progression, and coordinate a response to weather conditions as Earl moves up the coastline.

The EMO asks residents not to call 911 for non-emergency situations, including inquiries into road closures, non-emergency tree falls, or other general information. General calls should be directed towards the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000. Tree crews are being dispatched on a priority basis, and will be working throughout the day to respond.

Ferry service is currently suspended. HRM buses are still operational at this time. Bridge traffic on the Mckay Bridge is officially closed to high-sided vehicles. Both the Macdonald Bridge pedway and walkway are also closed.

In the interest of public safety, the RCMP are currently keeping people out of provincial park beaches, and the main road into Peggy’s Cove has been closed to all but local traffic.

At this time, according to Nova Scotia Power, there are outages in pockets around HRM, numbering in the thousands. Residents are encouraged to contact Nova Scotia Power (902) 428-6004 or visit their site at www.nspower.ca for a more detailed account of power outages in their area.

Residents are encouraged to visit both Environment Canada’s website and the Canadian Hurricane Centre for the latest tracking movements of Hurricane Earl. HRM’s most recent updates can be heard on 107.7 Information Radio, HRM’s official emergency broadcaster. They can also be found online at www.halifax.ca

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Contact:

Shaune MacKinlay
Public Information Officer, HRM EMO
233-6838 (cell)