STORM CENTRE > SEPTEMBER 13 to 17, 2023

FINAL STORM CENTRE UPDATE >>> (Issued 8:45 a.m., September 17) Winds have died down, weather warnings have ended, and things are slowly beginning to return to normal throughout the South Shore.

In Bridgewater, we continue to ask motorists to be mindful of areas where debris may still be on roads and to use caution while travelling. Please report any issues related to power lines to Nova Scotia Power.

Parks, trails, docks, and sports facilities will continue to remain closed until at least Monday to allow staff to conduct safety inspections. Given the winds experienced during Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lee, we wish to ensure there is no tree or structural damage in these areas. Please respect this closure and avoid these areas until further notice.

Many in the community are still without power. Please visit www.lunenburgremo.ca for a list of currently active Comfort Centres in the county.

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TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER SERVICE NOTICES >>>Service notices and shared public information submitted by the community will be placed in this (top) section as they are received.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT >>> (Updated 5:30 p.m., September 16, 2023) The remanants of Hurricane Lee continue to bring high winds across the South Shore at this hour. For complete forecast details, including the latest warnings, please visit Environment Canada's website by clicking here.

POLICE ASKING FOLKS TO STAY OFF THE ROADS; WHERE TO REPORT TREE DEBRIS ISSUES >>> (Issued 8:00 a.m., September 16) There have been widespread reports of tree limbs and debris on roads in Bridgewater as a result of high winds.

Bridgewater Police Service is asking everyone to please do their part to help keep everyone safe by avoiding all unnecessary travel at this time -- stay home until the storm has passed and crews have a chance to commence cleanup operations.

If you see storm debris on the roads and causing a hazard in Bridgewater, please contact the Town of Bridgewater's after-hours Public Works line at 902-543-5142.

If there is a major traffic issue, such as a motor vehicle accident, contact police.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS: REMINDER >>> A number of intersections with traffic lights in Bridgewater are currently without power as a result of the storm. We have received several reports of vehicles going through these intersections without stopping. This is extremely dangerous and poses a significant safety threat to motorists and repair crews alike.

If you encounter an intersection with traffic lights that are not working due to a power outage, please treat the intersection as an all-way stop and come to a complete stop, checking for opposing traffic, before safely proceeding.

ARENBURG TRUCK SHOW POSTPONED >>> (Posted September 13, 11;50 a.m.) The Arenburg Memorial Truck Show scheduled for Saturday, September 16, is being postponed. More information will be made public in the future.

PETER OICKLE HISTORIC WALK POSTPONED >>> (Posted September 13, apx 2 p.m.) Local historian Peter Oickle's historic walk schedueld for Saturday, September 16, has been cancelled and will instead take place on Saturday September 23. The walk will depart from St. Paul's Lutheran Church parking lot at 2 p.m. near the corner of Phoenix and Pleasant streets.

CEMETERY CLOSURE >>> (Posted September 13, 4:30 p.m.) Brookside Cemetery will be gated and closed to the public beginning on Friday evening until at least Monday to allow staff to assess for damage post-storm.

FLOATING DOCKS, TRAILS, AND PARKS >>> (Post September 13, 4:30 p.m.) All Town of Bridgewater floating docks along the LaHave River, and Town of Bridgewater parks and trails will be closed beginning on Friday evening and will remain closed until further notice to allow Town staff to assess for damage post-storm.

EMERGENCY STORM SHELTER FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS >>>  (Issued 1:55 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023) An emergency storm shelter for people experiencing homelessness will open on Friday, September 15, 2023, beginning at 6 p.m. at 17 Greenwood Street in Bridgewater.

The shelter will close once the weather has been deemed appropriate - predicted to be either Sunday or Monday. There will be cots, food, drinks, and hygiene supplies on site.

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a comfort centre. This is a low-barrier shelter specifically for unhoused people during the hurricane. Additional information on comfort centres for the general public will be shared by REMO and local municipalities as they are opened. Contact 902-521-1141 if you have any questions.

WASTE SITE/COLLECTION NOTICES >>> (Issued September 15, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.)

WASTE SITE -- The Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre will be closed to the public on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The site is scheduled to re-open Monday as usual. Questions? Call (902) 543-2991.

WASTE COLLECTION -- As of now, waste collection scheduled for September 18, 2023, will take place as usual in the Town of Bridgewater and the Municipality of Luneburg. Residents should delay placing waste (including wood and metal items in the Municipality) curbside until the storm has passed on Sunday. Collection starts at 7 a.m. in the Municipality and 8 a.m. in the Town on Monday.

Please ensure your green carts are in a secure location during the storm. If weather is severe enough to impact collection on Monday, an additional update will be provided.

SPORTS FIELDS CLOSED >>> (Issued September 15 at 9:30 a.m.) All sports fields will be closed to use until further notice at 8 p.m. tonight.

BRIDGEWATER TRANSIT >>> (UPDATED September 16 at 10:10 a.m.) Bridgewater Transit will end service early at 1 p.m.

LCLC UPDATE >>> (Updated September 16) The Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre will not open today due to ongoing poor weather conditions.

TRAFFIC: PINE STREET >>> (Issued at 6:40 a.m., September 16) Tree reported on power lines on the lower (east) end of Pine Street. The area is temporarily closed to traffic as crews respond.