Frigid temperatures cause burst pipes, vehicle collisions, and power outages across Maritimes
Extreme cold warnings were in effect for the Maritimes Saturday, with feel-like temperatures hitting between -40C and -50C.
As of 3:30 p.m., most warnings ended across the region, except for parts of northern New Brunswick where warnings have extended.
Along with frigid temperatures, Saturday saw snow-squalls and gusty winds.
"We've had some record setting low temperatures recorded in all three Maritime provinces. Both for Friday and for Saturday. Though for Saturday, February 4th, some of the more long standing low temperature records, those weren't broken," said CTV's chief meteorologist Kalin Mitchell.
With the low temperatures, time spent outside needed to be limited for residents across the region as a way to avoid the risk of frostbite.
“It's important to note that there is an increased risk of frostbite when wind chill makes it feel -28C or colder. Frostbite to exposed skin can happen in 30 minutes or less. It's one of the reasons why those wind chills are part of those extreme cold warning criteria," said Mitchell
Maritime agencies set up warming areas along with providing hot beverages and warm clothes to those in need.
"Same as last evening we will be out by seven tonight, probably be out until tonight. We will again be joined by RCMP members in their coverage areas that will be joining in doing checks," said Paul Service with Halifax Search and Rescue.
BURST PIPES DISPLACES MANY
More than a dozen people across the Maritimes were displaced from their homes Saturday as residential fires and burst pipes kept fire crews busy on the coldest day of the year.
All 33 people are being helped by Canadian Red Cross volunteers with emergency shelter and meals. In some cases, volunteers are helping with purchasing necessities like clothing and other basic needs.
In Halifax, three people were displaced from a Sylvia Avenue home after a pipe burst in a four-storey apartment complex.
The Red Cross say a retired couple were forced out of their Higginsville, N.S., home after it was destroyed by a fire. According to the Red Cross, the couple is staying with relatives.
In Notre-Dame, N.B., three adults and one child were displaced after a fire that destroyed a house along Route 115.
In Moncton, two adults from two apartments in a 24-unit building on Bliss Street were forced to evacuate due to frozen pipes bursting, resulting in water damage in the units.
In Saint John, a family of seven was forced out of an older four-storey building on King Street East after burst pipes and flooding caused the electricity to be cut.
Meanwhile in Nova Scotia, two adults were displaced from an Amherst mobile home along Woodlawn Drive. The mobile home was heavily damaged by fire after a propane torch was used to thaw frozen water pipes.
In Dartmouth, three adults were evacuated from a six-storey complex on Nova Court due to water damage from burst pipes affecting two apartments.
According to the Canadian Red Cross, no injuries were reported from any of the incidents.
POWER OUTAGES
With all of the Maritimes still under extreme cold warnings Saturday, more than 16,000 households and businesses are without power, as of 10:30 p.m.
"High winds lead to trees falling into the power lines and causing outages, whereas the cold temperatures can lead to extra demand on the system, some more electrical consumption by customers in the province," said Matt Drover, who is the spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power.
Nova Scotia Power is currently reporting 340 active outages affecting 6,218 customers.
The restoration time for most communities ranges is slated for 11 p.m. Saturday.
In New Brunswick, NB Power says 5,414 customers remain in the dark.
Meanwhile on Prince Edward Island, Maritime Electric is reporting outages affecting 20 customers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.