The following is a provincial hurricane Fiona update for today, September 24.
Hurricane Fiona made landfall shortly after 3 a.m. today and is expected to have continued impacts across Nova Scotia. Assessments are underway, but the effects appear to be greatest in Cape Breton.
Wind gusts ranging from 100 to 140 km/h have been reported, with coastal gusts up to 160 km/hr. Rainfall has exceeded 100 mm in some locations, and nearly 150 mm has fallen in the Truro area.
The Emergency Management Office (EMO) is monitoring the storm and providing regular updates. The EMO Provincial Coordination Centre moved to a Level 3 activation – the highest possible – at 7 a.m. today.
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
— check with their local municipality or visit https://novascotia.ca/alerts/comfort-centres-and-shelters/ for a list of comfort centres and shelters
— stay out of provincial campgrounds, beaches and day-use parks, which are all closed
— only call 911 in emergency situations
— check on their neighbours to ensure people have what they need to stay safe
There are widespread power outages across the province. While the power is out, Nova Scotians are reminded:
— to report an outage and check on estimated restoration times, visit http://outagemap.nspower.ca/
— food in fridges and freezers can become a health risk when the power is out; more information is available at https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/food-protection/docs/factsheet-poweroff.pdf
— flood water 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:
— check road conditions at 511.novascotia.ca
— check flights at Halifax Stanfield International Airport and J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport at: https://halifaxstanfield.ca/flight-information/arrivals/ and http://www.sydneyairport.ca/
Source: Release
