Residents from Halifax to Cape Breton found themselves in the midst of recovery on Monday following a historic multi-day storm.
In Cape Breton, one of the hardest-hit areas, residents were advised to stay home as snow-covered streets posed challenges for clearing crews.
Premier Tim Houston says assistance for snow removal is en route from New Brunswick and P.E.I.
Additionally, the federal government is contributing snow-clearing equipment from Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The premier acknowledged that it would take several days to clear some rural roads.
Premier Tim Houston urged Nova Scotians to be patient as snow-clearing efforts continue following a weekend of snowfall that blanketed the northern half of Nova Scotia. Source: Communications NS
New Brunswick is sending three double-wing plows and six operators so they can work around the clock with their arrival anticipated on Tuesday.
Houston also confirmed the province has reached out for help from private plow operators. The province has so far secured 55 plows of varying sizes from private operators to work on public streets.
Houston emphasized the importance of unity in efforts, stating, “We get far more accomplished when we’re all on the same page. And I just want you to know there are a lot of good people working very hard to keep you safe.”
Due to the severity of the situation, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality declared a local state of emergency, urging residents to stay home and avoid travel on the roads.
A news release on Monday explained, “Roadways are being cleared for emergency response and travel of essential workers. The process is slow, and plows require several passes to deal with the significant accumulation.”
While the situation is improving in Halifax, roads are becoming clear and classes will return to normal on Tuesday, there are many cancellations rolling in from other areas.
Cancellations for Tuesday, February 6
Strait Regional Centre for Education
Cape Breton-Victoria Centre for Education
NSCC Pictou, Truro, Strait and Marconi Campuses
StFX will remain closed as crews continue the cleanup effort. Essential services will remain open. Online classes will continue as scheduled.
Hospitals returning to normal in Halifax, emergency only in eastern N.S.
Visit www.nshealth.ca/temporaryclosures for the most up-to-date closures and service changes at hospitals in Nova Scotia.
Impact on flights
While the Sydney Airport was closed on Monday Halifax Stanfield International remained open, however, passengers continue to deal with delayed flights.
During the weekend there were over 70 cancelations and while flights continued in Halifax on Monday the airport is still advising passengers to arrive an hour earlier than usual to deal with any unforeseen delays.
With files from Steve MacArthur
