Heavy rain, strong winds cause power outages, poor driving conditions in the Maritimes

More than 15,000 Maritimers are without power Tuesday as high winds and heavy rains batter the region.

The Nova Scotia RCMP says it is receiving reports of difficult driving conditions across the province, including water pooling on roads, trees and utility lines down, and low visibility.

Drivers are being told to use extreme caution due to localized flooding in Pictou County. Highway 104 is closed westbound between Exits 18 and 19 in Salt Springs. The eastbound lanes remain open.

The westbound lanes of Highway 104 near Exit 1 is closed due to a tractor trailer on its side in the road.

Police say motorists should avoid the area if possible.

Weather alerts

Yellow rainfall and wind warnings are also in place for the majority of Nova Scotia.

The rainfall warnings are calling for 15 to 25 mm of additional rain until the afternoon.

CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says people should be cautious of hydroplaning conditions on roads.

There is also a risk of thundershowers and mild temperatures should melt any remaining snow.

Southerly wind gusts of 100 km/h are expected across the province.

An orange Les Suêtes wind warning from Margaree Harbour to Bay St. Lawrence has ended.

Yellow rainfall and wind warnings in southern areas of New Brunswick have also ended.

There are no weather alerts in effect for Prince Edward Island.

Power

As of 2 p.m., there were 277 active outages in Nova Scotia affecting more than 12,300 customers.

A downed tree branch has caused a small outage in the North and Clifton Street area of Halifax. Transit routes in the area are on a detour.

At that time in New Brunswick, there were 140 unplanned outages affecting more than 3,600 NB Power customers and one Maritime Electric customer off the grid on P.E.I.

Closures

Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax is closed until further notice due to a power outage. The university says it affecting all buildings, except the Sheila A. Brown Centre for Applied Research.

Travel

Bayers Road in Halifax, between Romans Avenue and Mailing Street, will be closed for the remainder of Tuesday and Wednesday so Nova Scotia Power can replace and repair utility poles damaged by high winds.

The City of Halifax says that section of Bayers Road will be reduced to a single outbound lane, and the sidewalk will be closed while work is underway.

“Drivers should expect delays and are asked to use alternative routes where possible. The Bayers Round inbound lanes are not impacted by this work,” reads a news release from the city.

Halifax Transit routes 8, 28, 192, 194, 196 and 330 travel through this outbound lane. Riders should expect delays due to the lane reductions. In addition, bus stop 6198 will be closed during repairs.

A wind warning advisory is in effect for the Confederation Bridge, which may cause traffic restrictions until noon.

The Canso Causeway closed to vehicles over 2.5 m high just before 12:30 p.m.

The MacKay Bridge in Halifax is closed to high-sides vehicles.

The Macdonald Bridge is closed to pedestrians and cyclists.

The following Marine Atlantic sailings for Tuesday are cancelled:

• The 11:45 a.m. crossing from North Sydney, N.S., to Port aux Basques, N.L.
• The 11:15 p.m. crossing from North Sydney to Port aux Basques
• The 11:30 p.m. crossing from Port aux Basques to North Sydney

The ferry service has also cancelled the following Wednesday sailing:

• The 11:45 a.m. crossing from Port aux Basques to North Sydney

Bay Ferries has cancelled the following Tuesday sailings of the Fundy Rose due to the Bay of Fundy marine forecast:

• The 9 a.m. Saint John, N.B., departure
• The 4 p.m. Digby, N.S., departure

The following crossing for Wednesday is also cancelled:

• The 9 a.m. Saint John departure

The Tancook Ferry in Chester, N.S., is suspending service for the morning as well as the 1:30 p.m. sailing.

The LaHave Ferry in Bridgewater, N.S., is also suspended due to weather.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations

Rainy and windy conditions didn’t stop people from getting out early to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax Tuesday morning.

About 10 people could be seen lined up outside the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse on Prince Street just before 6 a.m.

The first person in line said he got there at 4 a.m., despite doors not opening until 7 a.m. He came equipped with a reflective rain jacket and pants, umbrella and chair.

“Like we do every year, we’re just waiting for the place to open to get our spot so we can see some great music, we can spend time with some great friends and you gotta get here early if you want to get in the door,” he told CTV Atlantic’s Carl Pomeroy.

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