More than 20,000 Nova Scotians still in the dark 10 days after Fiona, most schools reopen
More than 20,000 Nova Scotians are still without power as restoration efforts continue 10 days after post-tropical storm Fiona.
As of 1 p.m. Monday, there were 5,017 active outages affecting 21,087 Nova Scotia Power customers.
According to the latest map, significant outages continue to be reported in the Pictou County, Truro and Sydney areas. It’s estimated that some customers will not have their power back until 11 p.m. Wednesday.
In a news release issued Monday morning, Nova Scotia Power said more than 1,500 technicians, damage assessors, forestry technicians and field support people are currently on the ground, with most crews working in the northeastern and eastern parts of the province.
The utility adds that while progress is being made, repairs are “multi-layered and complex,” which is why some customers saw their estimated restoration times change Sunday night.
“It’s important to share information with our customers as soon as we can, even when we know the information is hard to hear,” said Lia MacDonald, Nova Scotia Power’s northeast emergency operations centre lead, in the latest release. “Please know that we are working as safely and as quickly as we can to get your power back on.”
The lack of electricity also means a lack of heat for many Nova Scotians as temperatures dropped into the single digits Sunday.
Chris Kaiser says, as temperatures go down, people are starting to hunt for warmer places to stay.
"It was freezing. It was really, really cold," he said. "One of my neighbours messaged me at midnight and said, 'It's too cold in here. I can't stay here.' And he was messaging other people that are on the grid to see if he and his kids could go up there."
The Salvation Army told CTV News on Monday that it continues to serve 3,700 meals a day to people within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
"We're providing upwards of 3,000 meals to people literally right across the region here," said John Murray with the Salvation Army. "As you can see behind me here in Glace Bay, our team is making meals and they'll be distributed on our trucks."
Residents are also doing what they can to support each other. Margaret Jeffries has opened her home for people to charge devices and get a hot cup of tea.
"Never in my life would I have dreamed that we'd be 10 days without power. In some ways, it's been horrific and horrible, but in other ways, it's been kind of good for us," said Jeffries.
Several comfort centres are also open on Monday in the Sydney area:
- Gabarus VFD: Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Glace Bay Miners Forum: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Howie Center VFD: Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Louisbourg VFD: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (shower facilities available)
- New Waterford VFD: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sydney Centre 200: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SCHOOLS REOPEN IN NORTHERN NOVA SCOTIA
Monday marks the first day schools in the Chignecto-Central, Strait and Cape Breton-Victoria regional centres for education have reopened since Fiona.
A few schools in the province remain closed Monday due to power outages, including North Queens Community School and Greenfield Elementary on the South Shore, Bouldarderie Elementary and John Bernard Croak Victoria Cross Memorial School in Cape Breton, and North River Elementary, Frank H MacDonald Academy and Salt Springs Elementary in central Nova Scotia.
Cape Breton University has also reopened for regularly scheduled classes. The Nova Scotia Community College says all campuses and sites, including those in Truro and Sydney, will reopen Monday as well.
Most schools on P.E.I. have also reopened after a week-long closure.
Nova Scotia says most provincial government offices will reopen Monday, but local power outages could prevent a “small number” from reopening.
About 415,000 people lost power during post-tropical storm Fiona, according to Nova Scotia Power.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.