HRCE cancels Monday’s classes as province continues to be impacted by winter storm

CITYnews halifax / By Dan Ahlstrand

A snowfall warning and blowing snow advisory remain in effect for Sunday night for HRM and the surrounding area.

HRP and HRM both asked people to avoid unnecessary travel on Sunday as more snow falls on the region. Nova Scotia RCMP say they have responded to multiple motor vehicle collisions because of the weather over the last two days.

According to the 4 pm Sunday forecast from Environment Canada the city should see 5-10 cm of additional snow through the evening and overnight hours. Tomorrow the forecast is calling for the snow to taper to flurries with an additional of 2 cm. Strong winds will continue, gusting as high as 80 km/h in some areas. These winds will cause blowing snow, which may impact visibility.

Sunday’s  weather continues to impact services in HRM:

School:

• HRCE has cancelled classes for the day on Monday to allow for clearing of snow
• CCRCE has cancelled school for the day on Monday
• Strait Regional Centre for Education has cancelled classes for Monday
• Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education has cancelled classes for Monday
• NSCC Marconi, Truro, and Strait campuses along with Amherst and Wagmatcook Learning Centres closed Monday

Parking:

The overnight winter parking ban will be enforced in Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central.

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

Halifax Transit:

Halifax Transit resumed service at 12 pm

Municipal offices

All municipal offices, including in-person Customer Service Centres and the Planning & Development permit office, will be closed tomorrow, Monday.

City employees who can work from home are asked to do so.

All essential services, including 311 and winter operations, are maintaining service. Halifax Transit will be operating, weather depending.

Parks & Recreation:

Most municipal recreation facilities will remain closed for the remainder of the day. A decision will be made at 7 p.m. this evening regarding opening times for Mon, Feb 5.

The Halifax Public Gardens are closed today.

The lower gates to Point Pleasant Park will remain open throughout the night to assist crews clearing snow.  The access hours will remain in place and the lot will be patrolled at regular closure times.

Garbage collection:

Curbside collection of solid waste scheduled for Monday, February 5 is cancelled due to the winter storm. Recovery for February 5 collection will occur on Saturday, February 10.

Curbside garbage limits will be relaxed for Saturday, February 10  and Monday, February 12 for the missed collection days.

Please retrieve any waste you have placed for collection as to not interfere with snow clearing operations.

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

Support for those experiencing homelessness:

The Province of Nova Scotia provides additional emergency support for those experiencing homelessness within the temporary emergency shelters at the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum (6210 Young Street) and Beacon House (125 Metropolitan Avenue) in Lower Sackville.

Capacity at all shelters will be reassessed over the weekend.

The Halifax Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) team is conducting wellness checks over the weekend to assess the safety of anyone who chooses not to leave an outdoor sheltering location. GSAR also offers transportation to emergency shelters for those sleeping rough during this weather event.

Snow continues to impact entire province

Colchester and Cumberland counties remain under a winter storm warning Sunday morning, with up to 35 cm or more expected to fall on those areas through the day. Pictou and Guysborough counties and Cape Breton will see more snow and are also under winter storm warnings as they are expected to see 30-50 cm of snow on Sunday. Areas south and west of Halifax are under a blowing snow advisory with gusty winds expected through the day on Sunday.

The Nova Scotia Department of Public Works said roads continue to be partially covered, or completely covered, with poor visibility and are asking residents to avoid traveling. If you do have to drive, the department is asking drivers to give plows plenty of space.