Provincial and municipal officials are urging Nova Scotians to take precautions ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Fiona, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall and wind gusts approaching 140 kilometres an hour.
The hurricane is tracking northward into Atlantic Canada, with impact expected late Friday and Saturday as it becomes a tropical storm. Read more: Hurricane Fiona to accelerate, bring ‘hurricane force winds’ to Atlantic Canada “This storm is going to hit us folks,” said Halifax Mayor Mike Savage Thursday afternoon during a media briefing. “It’s going to hit us in the face, so we have to be ready.” John Lohr, the minister responsible for the provincial Emergency Management Office, said the province’s response will be “around the clock” and “all hands on deck.” He said the province has already been in talks with the federal government about possible assistance after the storm and given the military a “heads up.” “Fiona will impact our province and it has the potential to be very dangerous,” said Lohr. “The time to get ready is now before Fiona hits tomorrow evening.” He noted the storm is expected to bring severe and damaging wind gusts, high waves and storm surges, as well as “dangerous rainfall rates and prolonged power outages.” In fact, Bob Robichaud, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, referred to the storm as “historic” several times during the conference. “It’s going to be a storm that everybody remembers, once it’s all said and done.” The storm is expected to track right over Cape Breton, and Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Amanda McDougall said her primary concern is the causeway, which is the island’s only entry and exit point. “Right now, Cape Breton as an island is