STORM CENTRE >>> JANUARY 7, 2022

TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER SERVICE UPDATES/CHANGES WILL BE POSTED HERE AS THEY ARE RECEIVED.

TOWN HALL CLOSING AT NOON TO THE PUBLIC; REMOTE SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE >>> Town Hall and Town of Bridgewater public offices will be closing at 12 noon today. Town staff will continue to provide remote service to the public via phone or e-mail for the remainder of the business day.

DESBRISAY MUSEUM CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE DAY >>> Staff will be available remotely by phone and e-mail.

SNOWFALL WARNING IN EFFECT FOR LUNENBURG COUNTY >>> Snowfall amounts of 15 to 20 cm are expected inland, with lower amounts expected for some coastal areas. Locations: the South Shore and Halifax County West. Time frame: This morning to Saturday morning.

Remarks: An intense low pressure system is forecast to pass just south of western Nova Scotia this afternoon. Precipitation will begin as snow, with a changeover to rain for many areas along the Atlantic coast. Rain will change back to snow this evening as winds increase out of the northwest and colder air moves in, this may also bring blowing snow over exposed areas.

Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.

Snowfall warnings are issued when significant snowfall is expected.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tweet reports using #NSStorm.

WINTER PARKING ALERT >>> During and after a storm, under Section 139 of the Motor Vehicle Act there is no parking permitted on streets. Parking a vehicle on the street will obstruct necessary winter maintenance and is a safety hazard. If you leave your vehicle parked on the street during a storm, it could be ticketed and towed at your expense -- please ensure you find off-street parking for your vehicle during and after a storm as clean-up operations take place.

SNOW-CLEARING REMINDERS >>> Do not move or plow snow from your property on to a street or sidewalk. Not only is that not helpful to drivers and pedestrians alike, it's actually a violation of Section 318 of the Municipal Government Act. Under the rules in that section, no person shall deposit snow or ice on the travelled way of a street or near a portion of the travelled way that hinders clearing efforts. That regulation extends to citizens and private contractors who have been hired to conduct snow-related property maintenance.

If you're putting out your compost cart or waste bags for pick up, please ensure that those items are not placed on the sidewalk or in a manner that could impede snow clearing or pedestrian traffic.

SNOW CLEARING ORDER OF OPERATIONS >>>
-- There are about 70 kms of streets and 35 kms of sidewalks in Bridgewater, so cleaning up after a storm takes time. Be patient and, if possible, please stay off the roads until snow clearing has taken place. This makes it easier for plow operators and lessens the potential burden on emergency responders.
-- Roads are generally salted before a storm to deter the formation of a layer of ice on asphalt below snow cover.
-- Plowing typically begins when there is about 7 to 10 cm of snow down, with priority being given to primary routes within the first 12 hours after a storm. Supervisors are in communication with emergency officials during a storm to coordinate response to emergency calls as needed.
-- From 12 to 24 hours after a storm, focus areas generally include school zones, the downtown, secondary streets, then sidewalk maintenance.
-- Plow It Forward: if you can help out a neighbour or volunteer to clear a fire hydrant, it helps your community!
-- PLEASE NOTE: THESE SERVICE LEVELS ARE BASED ON A TYPICAL WINTER SNOWFALL OF ABOUT 20CM. FOR LARGER WINTER STORMS, OR STORMS WHERE FREEZING RAIN/ICE ARE MIXED IN, ADDITIONAL POST-STORM CLEAN UP TIME WILL BE REQUIRED. PLEASE BE PATIENT, SAFE, AND ONLY MAKE ESSENTIAL TRIPS OUT WHILE STORM-CLEARING OPERATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE.