Local News

Latest Information on Hurricane Earl
(September 5, 2010) HRM’s Emergency Management Office (EMO) has now been de-activated.

HRM Roadways are open and crews continue with clean up efforts. All major parks are currently being assessed. The following parks are open as of noon today: Point Pleasant Park, Public Gardens (no facilities are operating), Shubie Park, Hemlock Ravine, Dillman Park, and Sullivan’s Pond. Flemming Park will be open early this afternoon.

Residents are reminded that private property trees are the responsibility of the owners. Limbs and branches no longer than 4 feet and no bigger than 8 inches around can be bundled and placed curb side for pick up. To assist residents with clean up, the maximum number of bundles has been increased to 10 per household. Crews will begin pick up on Tuesday morning.

Due to the recent power outages there had been sewage overflows into several lakes and other water bodies in our region. The public is advised not to swim in the harbour, lakes and other watercourses for 3 days.

“As the clean up efforts proceed, I would to thank all the crews that have spent many hours on the streets clearing the roads, assessing properties and restoring the power. I continue to be impressed by the professional and coordinated response that we achieved with all our agencies working together. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all HRM residents for their patience while the clean up continues.” said Mayor Peter Kelly.

Residents can continue to contact the HRM Call Center at 490-4000 until 7:00pm this evening.

Officials with the Emergency Management Office are continuing to assess the effects of Hurricane Earl.

Earlier today, Sept. 4, RCMP confirmed one death related to the hurricane.

"Like all Nova Scotians, I was extremely saddened to learn of this death," said Ramona Jennex, Minister of Emergency Management. "On behalf of the province, my deepest condolences go out to the family of this individual.'

As the clean-up in the aftermath of Hurricane Earl continues, provincial officials advise Nova Scotians that public safety is still a priority.

"While it may feel that the storm has passed, we ask people to continue to use caution," said Ms. Jennex. "Stay off the roads as there may be debris and tree branches. Please do not go to the shore and please use extreme care when assessing the damage to your property."

The province continues to work with utilities, government departments and not-for-profit partners to provide a unified and well co-ordinated recovery effort.

Environment Canada advises that by noon Hurricane Earl had been downgraded to a tropical storm and the storm has now moved passed Nova Scotia.

Although the storm has been downgraded, gusty winds remain a possibility.

No major infrastructure failures have been reported.

Power lines, trees, branches and leaves are down in several parts of the province. RCMP continue to advise people to stay off roads unless travel is unavoidable.

For information on current highway conditions, call 511 from any Nova Scotia-registered phone. Residents of HRM can report blocked roads by calling 902-490-4000.

Any road blockages or fallen trees that involve downed power lines should be reported to Nova Scotia Power.

Utility crews continue to address outages across the province. People can check on the status of outages and report outages by calling Nova Scotia Power at 1-877-428-6004. Emergency Management Office officials continue to work with Nova Scotia Power to better understand the nature and duration of power outages.

Any nursing homes or large-scale long-term care facilities in the province without power should call the Nova Scotia Power Outage Line. The province has asked Nova Scotia Power to make these facilities a priority in their restoration efforts.

"Nova Scotians are known for their kindness and for lending a helping hand, so take a moment now to check in with your neighbours," said Ms. Jennex. "If there is a senior or another person in your community who may need some assistance, take a moment to visit them."

Sporadic phone outages are being reported, but there are currently no disruptions in cellular service. Residents without telephone service are encouraged to have a cell phone on hand.

Anyone without access to a phone and needing urgent medical care are advised to go directly to the nearest paramedic base or local emergency room.

www.gov.ns.ca/agri/foodsafety/factsht/

In the wake of power outages linked to Hurricane Earl, many people have questions about the safety of foods from their refrigerators and deep freezes.

 

Following are some general food safety tips from the Department of Agriculture:

-- Perishable food that has reached room temperature for more than two hours must be discarded.

-- Any food in a deep freeze that is fully stocked is good for about two days from the time of power failure.

-- Any food in a half-filled deep freeze is safe to eat for one day from the time of power failure.

-- Food retail outlets are advised to keep food below 4 C (40 F). Any perishable food left above this temperature for more than two hours should be discarded immediately.

 

Officials at the Department of Agriculture say foods most often associated with food-borne illness include: raw or cooked meat, poultry, seafood and luncheon meats; casseroles, stews or soups; milk or soft cheese; homemade mayonnaise or dressings; cooked pasta, potatoes or rice; salads made with any of these foods.

 

 

or call 902-424-1173 24/7. Callers may leave a message, and a food safety official will call them back.

 

For further information on food safety see the fact sheets entitled "Food Safety After a Power Outage" and "Saving Foods When My Power Is Off" on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/foodsafety/factsht/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Department of Environment advises that municipal water utilities are continuing to supply water that is safe for human consumption. For people with wells, if they are damaged or there is any doubt about water quality, the best policy is to boil the water for at least one minute before consuming and to have your well tested as soon as possible.   

The Red Cross was on standby throughout Earl to provide shelters in case any municipalities had to evacuate people. While that didn’t happen on Saturday, they’re still ready to help if any particular area ends up without electricity for a prolonged period, which can pose risks for vulnerable groups like seniors. Bill Lawlor, the director of disaster management for the Red Cross in Atlantic Canada, says just as Red Cross volunteers benefit from the chance to practice their hurricane response skills, Earl also prompted thousands of Maritimers to beef up their personal preparedness including emergency plans and disaster kits. Lawlor says that's a positive thing for any type of future emergency but especially for tropical storms, noting the 2010 hurricane season still has several months to go.

The RCMP have confirmed the death of Johnny Mitchell Jr. of Bayside, Halifax Regional Municipality, as a result of Hurricane Earl.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Mitchell," said Premier Dexter. "Our thoughts are with them during this very difficult time."

"I am deeply saddened by this tragedy which further underscores the severity of hurricanes and major weather events," said Ramona Jennex, Minister of Emergency Management Office. "EMO urges Nova Scotians to continue to listen for advisories and to call 911 in the event of an emergency."

If you are facing an emergency and are without phone service, make your way to the nearest emergency room, or seek help from a neighbour.

(September 4, 2010) - The municipality is asking citizens to please assist in helping along the post-Earl clean-up efforts by disposing of tree branches and other debris found on private property in the recommended fashion - according to HRM’s Waste Management guidelines.

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http://www.halifax.ca/wrms/index.html)

Municipal efforts to clear roadways of trees and branches, and re-open sports fields and parks, are often hampered by the extra work involved in taking care of branches and debris pushed off private property and onto HRM-owned land.

For all news related stories onTropical Storm Earl, listen to 105.9 SEASIDE-FM or online or visit the SEASIDE-FM HRM Storm Central section of this web site..........Click Here

You can also find information on the SEASIDE-FM Face Book page..........Click Here

(Halifax, Nova Scotia - September 2, 2010) - Nova Scotia International Air Show will be presented at Shearwater next weekend, Saturday September 11 and Sunday September 12.

In partnership with Metro Transit, the Air Show is pleased to announce that everyone who takes the "Air Show Special" busses to Shearwater will receive priority transportation into the show and a discount on their gate fees.

The Metro Transit "Air Show Special" (regular transit fares apply) will depart each morning from the Bridge Terminal at Dartmouth Sportsplex every 15 minutes commencing at 8:40 am.  It will continue with stops at Alderney Landing, 5 Corners, and Woodside Ferry Terminal and then proceed directly to the Air Show Site in a special "Transit Only" lane, bypassing regular vehicle traffic.

We wanted to address the anticipated popularity of the Show's return to Shearwater." said Executive Director, Colin Stephenson, "At the same time encourage people to take an environmentally friendly mode of transport and reward that with a significant savings at the gate."

The Bridge Terminal at Dartmouth Sportsplex can be accessed by several Metro Transit routes all over Halifax Regional Municipality.

"Park & Ride" is available at the Alderney and the Woodside Ferry Terminal with Woodside free of charge for the weekend.

Everyone who takes the bus will be given a "Green Ticket" price PER DAY for the 2010 Show of:

Adult (18-59): $15
Youth (6-17): $10
Senior (60+): $10
Children Under 6 (must be accompanied by an adult): FREE
NOTE: Green Ticket Discounts will only be issued for those arriving by bus and purchasing tickets on site.  This offer cannot be combined with any other discounted ticket offer.

More information about the "Green Ticket" can be found at www.nsairshow.ca or watch for flyers on all Metro Transit routes.For up to date information on the show please visit our website at www.nsairshow.ca.

Garlands Crossing, Hants County, NS  A man wearing a ski-mask and carrying a rifle has been arrested after he attempted to rob the Crossroads Restaurant last night at around 8:30 PM.
 
Charges relating to the use of a disguise, use of a firearm during commission of an offence, and robbery will be forwarded against a 36 year old man during a court appearance this morning in Windsor.