Hurricane Fiona Update

USPA NEWS - NOTE FROM EDITOR:
Hurricane Fiona has caused extensive damage throughout the Maritime provinces. There is widespread damage to property, streets and highways, and other essential infrastructure such as power and communication networks.
Interruption to landline phone/internet service and cellphone service have been experienced by thousands of residents. In some cases media networks and other essential services were offline. There was a delay in this report being published as the result of technical challenges caused by this weather event.
As technology improves, I will be able to publish updates in a more timely manner.

After a night of record high wind and heavy rain, many curious residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality are starting to venture out to inspect the impact that Hurricane Fiona has bestowed on the region. Police are advising residents against non-essential travel to allow first responders, city crews and Nova Scotia Power to do their jobs safely.

As of 10am on Saturday, September 24, 2022, the Nova Scotia Power Outage Map was showing that there are currently 414,000 customers without power throughout the province. It is estimated that there were approximately 50,000 customers in Dartmouth and 85,000 customers in Halifax currently without power. It is thought that a total of 542,000 residents were without power throughout the Maritime provinces.

Halifax Harbour Bridges reported that as of this 10am, Saturday both the MacKay and MacDonald bridges are closed, but they expect that both bridges will reopen within a short period of time once engineers complete inspections looking for any structural damage or any other storm related damage. Steve Proctor, Communications Director for HHB, did note that the bikeway and walkway on the MacDonald Bridge were open.

Halifax Transit had suspended operations for Saturday, September 24th, as many roads are not passable due to downed trees, branches and powerlines. During the overnight hours, Halifax Transit provided a comfort bus at the scene of a 3 story apartment building that had to be evacuated due to reported structure damaged thought to be caused by the storm. Halifax Transit announced Saturday evening that all regular scheduled services will resume Sunday, September 25th.

USPA 24 News has also learned that Bay Ferries Limited along with Northumberland Ferries have canceled all scheduled sailings of the CAT, Fundy Rose, Confederation and MV Saaremaa for Saturday September 24th. ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ADVISORY" "Northumberland Ferries are cancelling service for Sunday, September 25th, and to allow additional time for highway crews to clear roads for safe travelling for our customers and crew, Northumberland Ferries are cancelling service for Monday, September 26th."