Cape Breton Declares Local State of Emergency as Winter Storm Batters Region

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) in Nova Scotia has declared a local state of emergency as it grapples with a powerful winter storm that has already dumped up to 80 centimetres of snow. The storm is expected to continue for a third day, prompting Mayor Amanda McDougall to urge residents to stay off the roads and remain in their homes for safety.

The CBRM council held an emergency meeting after learning that there would not be a provincial state of emergency. As a result, they unanimously voted for a seven-day local state of emergency, giving the municipality the authority to control travel and provide aid.

In response to the severe weather conditions, all Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education schools and worksites, Strait Regional Centre for Education schools, and Cape Breton schools under Conseil scolaire acadien provincial will be closed on Monday.

The Cape Breton Regional Police have been handling multiple calls of stuck vehicles hindering snow removal and emergency vehicle access. Winter parking restrictions are in place throughout the CBRM, and any vehicles obstructing snow removal will be ticketed and towed.

Transit services have been suspended, and Nova Scotia Power is dealing with power outages affecting around 3,700 customers in the region.

Cape Breton University has closed all its locations on Sunday and Monday due to the storm.

The storm is expected to bring up to 150 centimetres of snow in total. Weather officials have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel as clearing crews work to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.