HRM release:

The Halifax Regional Municipality is closely monitoring Hurricane Lee as it approaches the region this weekend. Municipal service adjustments will continue to be made throughout the severe weather event. For the latest information, visit our website. 

Be prepared

The municipality activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) today at noon. The EOC is staffed by employees from across the organization and provides a central place to coordinate emergency planning. The EOC will remain stood up until the weather system has moved out of the region and any necessary recovery efforts are completed.

Residents are asked to move patio furniture inside and remove anything that high winds could pick up, such as garbage bins, flower pots, umbrellas, toys, temporary signage, sports equipment and any other loose objects located near the right of way.

To reduce the likelihood of flooding, residents are asked to clear debris from catch basins located near their property prior to the storm if they are able to do so safely.

As high storm surges are expected, all residents should stay away from the coastal shoreline and low-lying areas. Be ready to move inland or to higher ground in case of flooding.

Register for hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system to receive urgent and non-urgent public alerts by phone, email or text. Sign up here.

For more information about storm preparedness, visit our website.

Parks & Recreation

Due to the forecasted weather, many municipal recreation facilities will delay opening on Saturday, September 16. A decision will be made by 10 a.m. if the facilities will open at noon and if rentals and programming activities will continue as scheduled throughout the day. Contact your local recreation centre for more information.  

All grass fields, all-weather fields and the Halifax Public Gardens will be closed this weekend. Residents may check field conditions on our website.

Solid Waste
 
Please note the following closures/cancellations in effect for Saturday, September 16:

• The mobile Household Special Waste event planned for at the Eastern Shore Community Centre is cancelled and will be rescheduled.
• The permanent Household Special Waste Depot located at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive will be closed.
• The Middle Musquodoboit Rural Refuse Depot located at 249 Sibley Road, Middle Musquodoboit will be closed.
• The Sheet Harbour Rural Refuse Depot located at 21611 Nova Scotia Trunk 7, Sheet Harbour will be closed.

For more information visit our website.

Halifax Transit

All conventional bus, ferry and Access-A-Bus trips are expected to continue as scheduled. Updates will be provided should there be any service impacts or cancellations as the storm progresses into the weekend.

Helping address homelessness

The Province of Nova Scotia is operating the following emergency shelters for those experiencing homelessness as of 6 p.m. on Friday, September 15: 

• Captain Spry Community Centre (16 Sussex Street, Halifax)
• St. Matthew’s Church (1479 Barrington Street, Halifax) 
• Beacon House (125 Metropolitan Avenue, Lower Sackville) 

Street Outreach Navigators are currently visiting encampment sites to advise people of sheltering options available.

The Halifax Ground Search and Rescue team will be doing wellness checks during the severe weather event to check on the safety of anyone who chooses not to leave an encampment or outdoor sheltering location.

For more information, visit our website and follow us on Twitter (X), Facebook and Instagram.