News release

Hurricane Fiona Update - September 25

Hurricane Fiona
Emergency Management Office

The following is a provincial hurricane Fiona update for today, September 25:

Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Nova Scotia shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday, September 24. The effects appear to be greatest in Cape Breton, and damage assessments and recovery efforts are underway.

The provincial Emergency Management Office (EMO) is monitoring the impact of the storm and providing regular updates. The EMO Provincial Coordination Centre moved to a Level 3 activation – the highest level – Saturday at 7 a.m.

People who are experiencing issues with their phone service may also have issues dialing 911. Staff at the Provincial Coordination Centre and other provincial officials are in close contact with Nova Scotia’s telecommunications providers and the federal government to support the providers in restoring services to everyone.

The list of open comfort centres and shelters has been updated to include more locations in Cape Breton: https://novascotia.ca/alerts/comfort-centres-and-shelters/ . People can also check with their local municipality or call 211 for information on comfort centres and shelters.

In the aftermath of the storm, Nova Scotians are asked to:

  • continue monitoring local media outlets for weather and safety updates
  • stay off roads and away from downed power lines so crews can safely remove trees and debris and restore lines
  • stay out of provincial campgrounds, beaches and day-use parks, which are all closed
  • give emergency vehicles priority at gas stations for re-fuelling
  • call 211 if they need assistance with home oxygen maintenance
  • only call 911 in emergency situations
  • check on their neighbours to ensure people have what they need to stay safe
  • obey all traffic markers and do not attempt to go around or remove any barricades, barrels or traffic cones that are in place to protect motorists from entering potentially dangerous sites, and to protect employees working to clear sites or restore power.

There continues to be widespread power outages across the province. Nova Scotians can report any new outages and check on estimated restoration times at: http://outagemap.nspower.ca/ . While the power is out, people are reminded:

  • food in fridges and freezers can become a health risk when the power is out for an extended period; more information is available at: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/food-protection/docs/factsheet-poweroff.pdf
  • floodwater can also impact food safety; more information is available at: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/food-protection/docs/factsheet-flood.pdf
  • Nova Scotians who get their drinking water from untreated, non-municipal water sources such as lakes, rivers and streams should boil their water for one minute before consumption; consuming this water is never recommended
  • well pumps in homes that are flooded can cause electrocution
  • generators, barbecues and charcoal grills should never be used indoors or inside garages, even if the doors or windows are open, as they may cause carbon monoxide poisoning
  • do not leave lit candles unattended.

People should avoid travelling, and use caution if travel is necessary. Information on road conditions and flights is available at:

Quick Facts:

  • crews are delivering additional fuel to gas stations
  • on Saturday, September 24, Emergency Health Services, which provides ground and air ambulance services, received its highest one-day call volume ever recorded
  • more than 200 people in Cape Breton Regional Municipality were evacuated from various properties due to fallen trees and damage to property
  • more than 800 powerline technicians, forestry technicians and damage assessors are actively working across the province
  • Nova Scotia Power has restored power to more than 241,000 customers since Saturday

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