Hi all,
Official HRM and Halifax Water updates follow my personal update.
While it has stopped raining, so much rain has fallen up and down the river systems that we will see water impacts continuing for some time.
Dams, roads and bridges can still be at risk. Even where no new damage is experienced, the size of the area hit by the storm is so large that it will take days and weeks to look at every road, park and trail.
Residents are continued to ask to stay home and stay off the roads. Residents dealing with flooding on their properties are asked to shelter in place unless it is an emergency. This is to ensure roads are as clear as possible so they can be repaired and reopened. Even if you have no power, even if your driveway culvert washed out, unless it is no longer safe to do so it is better to stay home and off the roads.
Please stay home and out of parks and off the trails. This is especially true in the access from Fall River to St Margaret’s Bay and in the core of the city (see map below). It is less so on the Eastern Shore and Musquodoboit Valley.
There are stories of washouts and damage all over the place, but there are 100s of kilometres of trails and 800+ parks to check and this will take time.
Additionally, it is very important to stay away from running water, creeks and rivers, because the land near them could be soft and may collapse and pull people in. There is a high risk of contaminants like gasoline and sewage being present. The harbour treatment system was overloaded and the harbour is contaminated.
First responders, staff, and contractors are flat-out assessing and repairing. High priorities streets (access to hospitals, main streets, access to vulnerable communities, etc) will be the highest priority. Fixing local streets and driveway culverts will take some time.
This will probably be the last stand-alone update for this event, but I will be doing a newsletter later on this week which will contain further updates.
Until then please stay safe, be kind, be patient,
Waye
MAP OF ROAD CLOSURES
Map is updated regularly and can be accessed here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/472ee9b92d4540129b8717ce1f293dbe
MUNICIPAL UPDATE:
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates and impacts to municipal services as a result of the storm system. The following information is current as of 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 22.
Flooding
Residents are advised to stay off the roads as there is significant damage to roads and infrastructure. Conditions are not safe for vehicles and pedestrians at this time.
Flash flooding has occurred in numerous areas of the municipality. Periods of heavy rain are expected to continue until Sunday, as well as the risk of thunder and lightning.
Numerous roads are washed out and remain closed due to flooding. There are abandoned cars on roads and highways causing dangerous conditions. There is a significant amount of damage and residents are advised to stay off the roads. See a map of blocked roads due to flooding. Crews continue to assess locations and the map will be updated as new areas are determined.
Emergency flooding calls are to be directed to Halifax Water at 902.420.9287; call volumes remain high, and residents are asked for their patience.
The Halifax Water system is safe to drink.
See the Province of Nova Scotia’s fact sheet on using well water after a flood.
Residents who notice damage to roads and infrastructure are asked to report it to 311 or email hrm_emo@halifax.ca.
Halifax Transit
Due to flooding throughout the municipality and extensive road damage, there are significant delays and detours throughout the Halifax Transit system. Updates will be shared on halifax.ca/transit, as well as @hfxtransit on Twitter.
Evacuation Centres
The municipality has opened two evacuation centres for residents dealing with power outages and flooding:
- The East Dartmouth Community Centre (50 Caledonia Road, Dartmouth) will remain open until further notice. Red Cross will be on-site to provide support for those displaced by the floods.
- The Beaver Bank Community Centre (1583 Beaver Bank Road, Beaver Bank) will close at 4 p.m. today, Saturday, July 22, due to decreased demand.
There are currently approximately 150 residents displaced by the floods.
An evacuation centre is a type of emergency facility which is opened when residents have to be evacuated from their homes due to a specific emergency event and where evacuees are received, needs are identified, and food, water and overnight accommodations are provided.
Solid Waste
The mobile Household Special Waste (HSW) depot scheduled for today, Saturday, July 22 at the Horizon Community School (168 Redoubt Way, Eastern Passage) has been cancelled. This event will be rescheduled. The permanent HSW Depot at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive will also be closed today.
The situation will continue to change, and additional rainfall is expected. For more information, follow @hfxgov on Twitter, or visit: halifax.ca/flood
HALIFAX WATER: Response to Stormwater Damage and Public Safety
Halifax Water continues to receive a high volume of calls from customers identifying washed-out driveways and culverts. Our crews are now in the field, assessing damage and conducting inspections of issues with our infrastructure. Repair work has already started and will be prioritized and occur over the upcoming days and weeks.
We encourage all property owners to inspect their driveway culverts, but only when it is safe. We respectfully request that Halifax Water stormwater customers contact us immediately if they identify erosion or washouts.
Please use the utmost caution, avoid driving over or near flooded or washout roads and driveways, and follow all public safety messages.
To learn more about Halifax Water’s stormwater infrastructure, please visit: https://www.halifaxwater.ca/stormwater-services
To determine if you are within our stormwater service boundary, please visit: https://hwc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/InformationLookup/index.html?appid=2e88916456b74fd1a1290b02498ed091
For urgent concerns related to Stormwater, Wastewater or Water, please get in touch with our 24/7 emergency line at 902-420-9287 or direct message us on Twitter or Facebook @HalifaxWater.
To ensure the safety of our communities and our staff, please maintain a safe distance when Halifax Water staff or contractors are working in your area.
VIDEO AND PICS OF FLOODING IN BEDFORD
The picture above and video below are shared with permission from Richard, who posted them on social media around 1pm today.