Nova Scotia Winter Storm. Image credit: X/@mini_bubbly
Following a historic multi-day storm that pounded parts of Nova Scotia, schools, offices and non-essential businesses remained closed today in hard-hit Cape Breton due to crews’ attempts to clean up snow-covered streets.
A local state of emergency has been declared in Cape Breton Regional Municipality after the low-pressure system dumped 150 centimetres of snow in some areas.
Cape Breton got some of the worst of it over the weekend, with some spots potentially receiving upwards of 80 centimetres of snow.
“Residents are directed to shelter in place and advised to clear snow from their home’s entryways, walkways and driveway to facilitate home access…“Do not travel. Roadways are being cleared for emergency response and travel of essential workers,” a news release from the municipality had read.
Cape Breton Regional Police Const. Gary Fraser was reported saying that the main roads in CBRM are mostly clear and passable, while some side roads are starting to open up.
About 1,000 Nova Scotia Power customers are reportedly still in the dark Tuesday morning
From 40 to 100 centimetres of snow hit other communities from Halifax to the island.
It could be days before some rural roads are cleared, warned Premier Tim Houston adding that help is on its way from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Islands (P.E.I.).
Assistance with snow-clearing gear from Cape Breton Highlands National Park is also being provided by the federal government.
Most roads would open tonight or Wednesday morning as they had been cleared by provincial plows, Guy Deveau, executive director of maintenance and operations with the provincial Department of Public Works, said
Health services in the northern and eastern zones were also impacted.
Due to a fresh dump of snow in the Maritime region Monday morning, many Maritimers had to dig the snow out themselves.
