Cleanup continues in Nova Scotia after massive multi-day winter storm

Schools, offices and non-essential businesses remained closed Tuesday inhard-hit Cape Breton as crews attempted to make headway clearing snow-covered streets following a historic multi-day storm that pummelled parts of Nova Scotia.

Cape Breton Regional Municipality is under a local state of emergency after the low-pressure system dumped 150 centimetres of snow in some areas. Other communities from Halifax to the island were hit with anywhere from 40 to 100 centimetres.

Premier Tim Houston has warned it could be days beforesome rural roads are cleared, but help was on its way from New Brunswick and P.E.I.He also reached out to the federal government for help.

In a news release, Ottawa said it is providing snow clearing equipment fromCape Breton Highlands National Park, and theCanadian Coast Guard will provide air transportationto helpwith the delivery of critical supplies and evacuation of isolated and at-risk people.

There were only about 1,000 Nova Scotia Power customers still in the dark Tuesday morning, but some restoration times were not until Wednesday afternoon.

Cape Breton Regional Police Const. Gary Fraser said Tuesday the main roads in CBRMwere mostly clear and passable, while some side roads were starting to open up.

He said people should stay off the roads, unless they absolutely must travel.

"We're getting calls for drives, to and from hospitalsand other businesses, by employees," Fraser told CBC's Information Morning Cape Breton. "We have to stress that we can't transport people to and from their place of business and tie up our resources."

Guy Deveau, executive director of maintenance and operations with the provincial Department of Public Works, said most roads cleared by provincial plows wouldbe open later Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

'No idea how we'll do this.' Cape Breton tries to dig out

8 months ago

Duration 1:27

Myrna Murphy believes this is the worst snow storm Cape Breton has ever seen. The Sydney, N.S., resident says she and her neighbours are checking in with one another as they try to clear snow.

However, it might be Friday before isolated, gravel roads are plowed.

"A road with significant drifting can take a lot more time than expected," Deveau toldInformation Morning Cape Breton.

Fuel shortage

John Phalen, CBRM's manager of public works, said some gas stations in the Sydney area wererunning out of fuel.

He said the bulk plant where the municipality gets its diesel from has been closed since Friday.

"We've got some fuel that's in storage that we're using, but that's all being depleted now," he toldInformation Morning Cape Breton. "We're using a lot of fuel for this operation."

Provincial government offices in Inverness andVictoria counties and Cape Breton Regional Municipality were closed Tuesday, as well as the Cape Breton University campus.

Maritimes dig out from more than a metre of snow

8 months ago

Duration 3:33

A relentless three-day blizzard has buried parts of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in up to 150 cm of snow, prompting local states of emergency and a call for help going out to other provinces and the federal government.

There were also a number of impacts to health services in the northern and eastern zones.

CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddonsaid the low-pressure system that arrived in the region Friday had yet to make its exit Tuesday, but its impacts would continue to ease.

There was achance of flurries in many parts of the province Tuesday,but no more than twocentimetres of snow was expected.

Cape Breton residents dig out their cars, doorways and roofs

8 months ago

Duration 0:50

Watch what some residents are dealing with after historic snowfall in Cape Breton.

Breaking down Nova Scotia snowfall totals

8 months ago

Duration 3:13

Meteorologist Ryan Snoddon says volunteer observers in Cape Breton reported 150 centimetres of snow in the Sydney area.