NSP continues to restore electricity as temperatures plunge

Nova Scotians have gone through yet another winter weather system that was powerful enough to snap hydro poles and knock out electricity for thousands – yet many found creative ways to get through holiday celebrations.

The province’s utility was working Wednesday to complete restoration of power, mainly on the province’s south shore, with the goal of having most businesses and homes reconnected by early afternoon.

The storm that whipped up on Christmas morning delivered gusts that reached near hurricane force – clocking over 100 kilometres per hours in some areas – peaking through Monday evening.

However, the winds mostly came after the precipitation, avoiding a full-out blizzard and ice storm in most areas.

In Halifax, Denise Macdonell adapted by firing up a barbecue and continued cooking her turkey until it ran out of propane, though the family didn’t consume the bird until Tuesday.

On Christmas evening, they called Zen Chinese Cuisine. The restaurant’s owners were just preparing a meal for their own family but nonetheless reopened to cook some food for Macdonell, her daughter and her husband.

“They were cooking for their own family Christmas party, and they still cooked us food,” said Macdonell. “It was really, really nice of them.”

Sharon Anderson, a building superintendent in Halifax, said some power was lost in apartment buildings she manages in Dartmouth’s north end on Monday afternoon, and her phone rang 50 to 60 times from tenants seeking information.

Fortunately, the three buildings with over 400 people in them only lost a portion of their power, she said.

“I don’t think people suffered too much, other than it became cold just before the power came back on,” she said in a telephone interview.

Weather forecasts predicted wind chill values between minus 26 and minus 30 Celsius in Nova Scotia, and between minus 30 and minus 35 in New Brunswick. The cold conditions are expected to stick around until the weekend.

“I don’t think people suffered too much, other than it became cold just before the power came back on.” Sharon Anderson, building superintendent, Halifax