Hurricane/Post-tropical Storm Dorian Update

The following is a provincial update for Monday, Sept. 9 at 10:30 a.m.

• approximately 202,000 Nova Scotia Power customers are without power. Crews are working across the province to restore power
• Bell is working closely with Nova Scotia Power to restore its operations
• all Nova Scotia public schools are closed today
• provincial government offices with power are open today. Some locations may not have power and members of the public are asked to call in advance to confirm if a particular office is open
• as power outages approach 48 hours, food safety will start to become a concern. Information about food and water safety is available at http://novascotia.ca/emergency.
• generators, bbqs and charcoal grills should never be used indoors or in a garage, even with windows or doors open. Doing so risks carbon monoxide poisoning or death.
• use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns instead of candles or hurricane lamps. If using candles, place them in a secure holder and cover them with a glass chimney, away from children and pets
• allow the generator to cool before refueling. Refuel the generator outside, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Store fuel for the generator in approved containers, outside the home
• make sure electric stove elements and small appliances are off or unplugged to prevent fires from occurring when the electricity is restored
• people continue to be encouraged to take public transit, when possible, to minimize the number of vehicles on the roads during cleanup
• residents are asked to call 211 to find the nearest comfort centre and 311 for comfort centres in Halifax Regional Municipality or visit http://novascotia.ca/emergency
• decisions regarding court operations are made on a case-by-case basis. Members of the public with matters before the court should check with their lawyer or call the courthouse to confirm whether the specific court is open
• provincial parks will remain closed until at least Wednesday, Sept. 11. Updates will be provided on when individual parks will reopen as information becomes available. Visitors with reservations will be contacted and provided a full refund. Check https://parks.novascotia.ca for the latest update prior to heading out to a park.
• trails and protected areas across the province may have wash-outs and debris. Check conditions with organizations that manage trails before heading out