**** HRM Media Release

Municipal clean-up efforts continue

 The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that municipal parks still remain closed, water distribution centres are set up on both sides of the harbour, and comfort centres will be open today along the Eastern Shore.

There are still a significant number of homes in the rural parts of the municipality without power. Municipal Joint Emergency Management (JEM) volunteers, and others in the community, are offering daytime comfort centres for people to drop in for refreshments and to charge their electronic devices.

Today, the comfort centres will be located at:

• Moser River Community Hall (28879 Highway 7) – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Gaetz Brook Legion (6647 Highway 7) – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• The Sheet Harbour Legion is also open as a comfort centre until 9 p.m. this evening.

Water distribution sites for those affected by water shortages (no power results in no ability to pull water from private wells) remain open at the Chezzetcook Fire Station (Station 23) and at the Herring Cove Fire Station (Station 60).

The hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please note if the crews are on a call, they may be absent but they will leave bottled water on the steps so no one drives away empty handed. There is a two-litre limit per person per day.

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Staff have been prioritizing clean-up efforts at sports fields to allow programming and organized events to resume as soon as possible.

The latest assessment of parks indicates that many require considerable work, including Point Pleasant Park, Camp Hill Cemetery, Halifax Public Gardens, and Victoria Park. All parks remain closed to the public. Out of a concern for public safety, residents are asked to stay out of the parks as staff work on restoration efforts. Updates will be provided regarding which parks can be reopened and when.

Please contact your local recreation facility directly to confirm status of operations and programming.

For those currently without power, residents are encouraged to turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system down to minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored.

Crews from Transportation and Public Works have been working on the significant clean-up effort around-the-clock since Saturday afternoon. Members of the municipal urban forestry teams have identified priority locations and crews, with support from contractors, are working to chip and remove downed trees, clean up debris, and replant trees that can be saved.

** The Sheet Harbour Legion is also open as a comfort centre until 9 p.m. this evening.

For safety reasons, residents are advised to not attempt to assist with clearing downed trees or debris in the municipal right-of-way. Please report this to 311 and tree and debris removal will be handled by professional crews. Residents are reminded if a tree on your property has fallen on your property, you will be responsible for clearing and disposal.

Please visit Halifax.ca or follow @hfxgov on Twitter for all storm-related updates