Storm closures and cancellations Monday Feb 5, 2024

A snowstorm impacting the province over the weekend has led to closures and delays on Monday. 

Clean up efforts

Prolonged snow events present challenging conditions for crews. During snow events with over 30 centimetres of accumulation, our crews require additional time to clear snow. Sidewalks are presenting particularly challenging conditions and will still take several days to clear. Crews will continue to work around the clock until the snow has been cleared from municipal streets, sidewalks and bike lanes. 311 is triaging calls to ensure priority needs are met.

Crews are focused on clearing Priority 1 routes, which include main arterials, emergency routes and Halifax Transit routes. Crews will also continue to clear Priority 2 routes, which include residential streets and gravel roads.

Residents are asked not to clear snow on to the street or sidewalk, as this impedes ongoing snow clearing operations.

In the event of an emergency, residents are reminded to call 911.

Halifax Transit

All Halifax Transit bus, Access-A-Bus and ferry service has resumed. Passengers are advised there may be delays and/or cancelled trips. Halifax Transit shares real-time cancellation information with a number of third-party apps to assist people in planning ahead.

Municipal offices

All municipal offices, including in-person Customer Service Centres and the Planning & Development permit office, will reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Parks & Recreation

All municipal recreation facilities will reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Solid Waste

Curbside collection of solid waste will proceed as planned tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 6. Residents are asked to place waste outside tomorrow morning, remembering that collection can begin as early as 7 a.m.

Residents are asked to  ensure all waste cans and bags are placed in an area clear of snow and traffic, and fully visible and accessible from the road. Garbage boxes must have a clear path, be clear of snow and able to open freely. Collection vehicles may not be able to access private lanes safely. If you live on a private lane, to ensure collection, please bring your waste to the main road.

Curbside collection of solid waste scheduled for Monday, was cancelled due to the winter storm. Recovery will occur on Saturday, Feb. 10. Curbside garbage limits will be relaxed for Saturday, Feb. 10 and Monday, Feb. 12 for the missed collection days.

The permanent Household Special Waste Depot located at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive will be closed on Saturday, February 10.

Parking

The overnight winter parking ban will continue to be enforced (in both Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central), from 1 to 6 a.m.

Residents are reminded that regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed, day or night, at any time of year, if they are interfering with snow-clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.

Residents are strongly encouraged to continue to park off-street to allow crews to clear snow as efficiently as possible.

Halifax Public Libraries

It is anticipated most Halifax Public Libraries will reopen tomorrow. Please check their website to confirm.

Support for those experiencing homelessness

The Province of Nova Scotia funds the operation of emergency shelters in the municipality, which are run by various service providers: 

Halifax | 2029 North Park Street

Dartmouth | 197-199 Windmill Road

Lower Sackville (Beacon House Shelter) | 125 Metropolitan Avenue

Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum | 6210 Young Street

Health Care:

Nova Scotia Health is advising that some non-emergency services will continue to be reduced in Eastern and Northern zones due to the heavy snow in parts of the province and poor road conditions in many areas.

The following service changes outlined below are planned for Tuesday. Other than separately announced emergency department closures, services not identified below are operating as scheduled.:

Eastern Zone:

• Emergency surgeries only Tuesday; elective surgical procedures and endoscopies are cancelled.
• Appointments for outpatient lab and diagnostic imaging (X-Ray, MRI, CT, etc.) appointments are cancelled.
• Ambulatory care clinics, rehab outpatient clinics (including Obesity Care Clinic) and outpatient clinics are cancelled.
• Cancer care clinics and services will be provided as scheduled with virtual care provided as appropriate.
• Palliative care outpatient clinics and home visits are cancelled. Virtual care will be provided as appropriate.
• Mental Health and Addictions outpatient clinics are cancelled. Virtual follow-up will occur as appropriate. 
• Adult Day Programs are closed.
• Renal dialysis will be provided as scheduled. Patients are asked to phone ahead before their appointments.
• Primary care collaborative care clinics in CBRM will remain closed and offer virtual care as appropriate. Patients will be contacted. Primary care in Antigonish and rural communities will be mainly virtual with some in-person care as appropriate. Patients will be contacted about their appointments. 
• Diabetes Education Centres/Clinics will provide care virtually as appropriate, and patients will be contacted directly.
• Public Health clinics, home visits, or community visits will be cancelled. Public Health Mobile Unit clinics will also be cancelled in Eastern Zone this week: Whitney Pier Legion – Tuesday, Feb. 6 and Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre – Wednesday, Feb. 7
• Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) in North Sydney and Baddeck will be open.

 Northern Zone: 

• Services and programs in the Northern Zone will largely operate business as usual tomorrow. Efforts are underway to restore normal operations, but some service reductions may continue. 
• Surgery cases at our regional hospitals will be assessed individually to determine whether they can proceed, and patients will be contacted directly. 
• Some patients may be contacted in the case of cancelations or to offer a virtual alternative.

 Central Zone: business as usual

Western Zone: business as usual