Nova Scotia Power activating emergency operations centre ahead of Wednesday’s powerful storm

HALIFAX, N.S. — With harsh winter winds and weather headed for Nova Scotia, the emergency operations centre is opening early ahead of the weather.

The centre is expected to open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Nova Scotia Power’s storm lead, Matt Drover, said the team has been monitoring the weather for the last several days.

“In light of the high winds expected to reach 90-100+ km an hour across the province, we will be activating our Emergency Operation Centre,” said Drover.

“This will ensure we are best co-ordinating our storm response, so we’re ready to respond to any impact that comes as a result of those high winds,” said Drover.

SaltWire weather specialist Allister Aalders said the province is expecting winds between 70 and 100-plus km/h and precipitation in the form of five centimetres of snow, with as much as 10 cm inland, and roughly 25 to 50-plus mm of rain is then forecast along the Atlantic coast of mainland Nova Scotia and the Fundy coast of New Brunswick.

Power crews are getting ready and will be positioned across the province ahead of the storm.

“The storm is anticipated to be similar to other windstorms that impacted the province in December, and the strength of these winds is expected to impact the electricity grid as well,” said Drover.

“The number one cause of power outages during storms is trees coming into contact with power lines. Our crews are prepared to safely respond to this type of damage as quickly as possible.”

Those looking to report outages during the storm can use Nova Scotia Power’s website or call 1-877-428-6004.