Hurricane Recovery Report, Oct. 2

EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--Hurricane Recovery Report, Oct. 2

While restoration of power remains the primary focus, government staff and emergency volunteers are also ensuring that health and safety needs of Nova Scotians affected by Hurricane Juan are being addressed, Ernest Fage, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act, said today, Oct. 2.

Ninety per cent of Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) customers should have power restored by tonight. The utility is working with the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) to identify areas of priority that need to be addressed.

"Co-ordinated provincial, municipal and federal efforts to assist Nova Scotia Power in that essential work continues," said Mr. Fage. "Work crews and EMO staff appreciate everyone's patience and co-operation during this difficult time. The cleanup is going as quickly as possible with 1,200 military personnel working daily to remove debris."

Military personnel cannot work in areas where there are downed wires without NSPI personnel in attendance.

The minister said the vast majority of Nova Scotia businesses are responding in a generous and community-minded fashion. "In those rare cases where someone may be taking advantage of the situation for personal gain, we will investigate, and where deemed appropriate, prosecute."

To help speed repairs, the Department of Environment and Labour's public safety division has streamlined the approval process required to reconnect electrical masts and meters to buildings.

As of today, health officials say there has been a 25 per cent increase in emergency department activity in HRM. Wait times for triage patients at the QEII Health Sciences Centre are from five to six hours.

Throughout the QEII region, about 120 additional inpatient beds have been established to house relocated patients. About 30 long- term care and transitional care patients have been relocated to other facilities and 47 patients of Point Pleasant Lodge are being temporarily housed at CFB Stadacona. Home care is being provided on a priority basis.

The Department of Health encourages seniors who need help to call the Continuing Care toll-free line at 1-800-225-7225.

The Red Cross is also helping seniors in public housing and low- income families by providing nonperishable food items in partnership with the Metro Food Bank and Metro Housing Authority. Youth groups and Dalhousie University students are also volunteering. Diapers and baby formula are being provided to Family Resource Centres. Community barbecues were held at 12 public housing units in partnership with the Metro Food Bank and local businesses. The Red Cross will provide food to those affected in the Truro area.

The Department of Community Services reports that all Income Assistance offices are now open. Cases are being assessed individually, and income assistance clients will be able to get up to $50 per family and $10 for each child to purchase food for the next few days until power is restored. New applicants will be assessed the same way.

Several Metro Regional Housing Authority buildings remain without power. The Red Cross is delivering water to these buildings again today.

Agriculture and Fisheries inspectors are visiting restaurants in Colchester and Pictou Counties to ensure food safety. As power is restored to households and businesses, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries offers the following tips:

• When power returns to your home make sure your refrigerator comes on and that the inside temperature goes down as power surges may affect the operation of your refrigerator.
• Continue to buy small portions of food. Do not stock your fridge until power is permanently restored.
• When purchasing food either at a restaurant or grocery store ask questions about the storage or freshness of food and remember to check dates on packaging.
• It is important to prepare green bins for discarding food products immediately. Clean out any brush and dirt. Remove spoiled meats from their packaging and then wrap in newspaper, put in cereal boxes or similar type of material and place in your green bin. During this time it is important to wrap waste in packaging to absorb wetness and odour. Regular green bin pickup is on schedule and local municipalities will notify of any changes in this procedure.
• Wash your hands when discarding food as high levels of bacteria may be present.
• If a food does not appear normal in odour, colour or consistency do not consume it.

Questions about food safety can be directed to 902-424-1173.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Chris d'Entremont is in Ottawa today meeting with Federal Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief to discuss the impacts of Hurricane Juan and mad cow disease on Nova Scotia's agriculture industry. They will also discuss the flexibility of federal-provincial assistance programs.

The Department of Justice's Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) offices are back in operation and staff will be processing support payments as quickly as possible. The Supreme Court Family Division in HRM remains closed due to damages to the building. Cases will be rescheduled or transferred to the Law Courts downtown.

As previously announced, all schools in HRM, Colchester and East Hants will remain closed until at least Monday, Oct. 6. Officials are assessing the situation school by school to ensure that buildings and property are safe for the return of students and staff. An update on school openings will be issued by Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.

EMO advises Nova Scotians interested in the disaster financial assistance program that further information on the program will be available soon. The public is asked to be patient as the cleanup process and power restoration continues.

The government of Nova Scotia is extending the deadline for recent and current government job competitions to help people who couldn't apply this week or who may have experienced technical difficulties applying online.

More information about the Hurricane Juan recovery efforts and contact numbers can be found on the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/emo/ or through public inquiries. That number is 902-424-5200 in Halifax or toll-free 1-800-670-4357.