Public Service Announcement
Residents encouraged to plan accordingly for approaching winter storm
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014 (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Regional Municipality is encouraging all residents to heed weather warnings and plan their travel accordingly for the next 24 to 36 hours.
Environment Canada has issued a blizzard warning for much of Nova Scotia on Wednesday, with snow expected to begin falling in most areas in the overnight hours. Forecasts are calling for as much as 30 centimetres in some areas, with high winds and blowing snow impacting visibility on the roads.
HRM is encouraging residents to keep a close eye on the weather and road conditions throughout the day, and to consider whether they need to travel at all.
HRM’s Municipal Operations has its snow and ice clearing crews on standby. Staff will continue to monitor weather forecasts and conditions into the evening and overnight, and will dispatch resources as required to clear the streets and sidewalks.
If conditions warrant, customer service centres may close and HRM recreation programs could be cancelled. Residents should call ahead to confirm before heading out. In the event of such closures, HRM will issue a Public Service Announcement and provide updates via @hfxgov on Twitter and online at http://www.halifax.ca/mediaroom/pressrelease/releases.html.
Metro Transit staff will be assessing the weather and the impact on service starting early tomorrow morning, prior to the beginning of the service day. Updates on individual bus routes will be available by following @hfxtransit on Twitter, which is also streamed online at www.halifax.ca/metrotransit. If there are impacts on all Metro Transit service, the public will be alerted through Public Service Announcements, on Twitter via @hfxtransit and @hfxgov, and on Metro Transit’s website.
Residents are reminded that the winter parking ban will be enforced overnight, from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, to facilitate snow clearing. Residents should secure off-street parking during those hours and throughout the day, as crews work to clear the streets of snow and ice.
Curbside collection of garbage, organics, and recyclables is cancelled for tomorrow, Jan. 22, and will be re-scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 25. The following facilities will also be closed tomorrow, due to the forecasted bad weather:
• The Otter Lake Waste Processing & Disposal Facilities at 600 Otter Lake Dr.
• The Materials Recycling Facility at 20 Horseshoe Lake Dr.
• The Composting Facilities at 80 Gloria McCluskey Ave. in Burnside and 61 Evergreen Place in Goodwood
These solid waste facilities will be open regular (weekday) operating hours on Saturday, Jan. 25. Residents are reminded to place their waste materials curbside the evening prior to collection day or by 7 a.m. on collection day to ensure services as collection times may vary.
For more information on HRM’s snow clearing operations, municipal service standards and more, please visit www.halifax.ca/snow.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Stewart
HRM Communications
902-476-5975
