A winter storm that hit Atlantic Canada over the weekend continues to wreak havoc on residents dealing with downed powerlines and accumulating snow.
On Monday morning, Nova Scotia Power was reporting approximately 4,000 customers without power in the northeastern part of the province, while Maritime Electric reported 6,500 customers affected by power outages in Prince Edward Island.
According to Nova Scotia Power spokeswoman Bev Ware, most of the downed power lines in that province are due to high winds and built-up snow falling from tree branches.
Environment Canada warns of significant snow accumulation for most of Atlantic Canada into Wednesday, before it turns to rain with warming temperatures.
Trees on power lines down east. Crews are also warning Islanders about road conditions. Approx. 6500 customers still without power. pic.twitter.com/641j3OpvrG
— Maritime Electric (@MECLPEI) November 28, 2016
The weekend proved to be a busy one for tow truck and snow plow drivers as the falling snow and freezing temperatures resulted in slick roads. Tow truck drivers were kept busy, pulling cars out of ditches as they adjusted to the return of winter weather.
According to one snow plow driver, some roads were worse than others. He encouraged drivers to “remember that it’s winter” and adjust their driving habits.
An overturned truck on the Seal Island Bridge in Cape Breton, N.S. leaned precariously to one side after it was tipped over by strong winds. Traffic was down to one lane as crews waited for the 90- to 120-kilometre-per-hour winds to slow down so they could tow the truck.
“He was lucky that he was in the middle of the bridge,” said Chief Wayne Jardine of the Big Bras d’Or Volunteer Fire Department. “Those vertical posts might have held him from going right over.”
The strong winds downed powerlines in Cape Breton on Sunday too, but there were no reports of serious damage or injuries.
Flights into and out of Halifax Stanfield International Airport were grounded and cancelled due to the inclement weather. Some flights continue to be delayed.
Environment Canada is encouraging Atlantic Canadians to adjust their driving habits and continue to check on weather warnings.
With reports from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald and Marie Adsett
