Ice Storm: Sunday Update

City will revaluate opening rec services tomorrow as more people regain power

Today's New Information:

As more and more people see their power come back on, we are encouraged by the progress NB Power is making, and are similarly encouraged by the progress of our Public Works Clean-Up crews

Our full efforts will remain focused and unchanged until at least noon tomorrow at which time the vast majority of the city should have their power back. At this time we will evaluate reopening some of our recreation facilities and programs, but we will also remain committed to keeping warming centers open as long as they need to be.

For the first time since we lost power, the number of homes in the city without power has dropped to below 1000. While this is good news, we ask everyone to remain aware that some citizens, including those in outlying areas and our rural neighbours may be without power for an additional day or two at this point. To see the estimated time for your area please follow-up with NB Power at nbpower.com

While we have seen a significant reduction in the numbers, we are committed to keeping both of our Warming Centers open into Monday afternoon and will reevaluate tomorrow. They are located at the Golden Hawk Rec Center (8 Pollard Blvd) and the Linden Rec Center (487 King George Hwy). Please make use of the Warming Centers to stay warm, have a hot shower and a hot meal.

We encourage our neighbours in surrounding communities and rural areas to make use of these facilities as well!

Transportation continues to be available from 8am until Midnight to the Golden Hawk Warming Center by calling 623-2066. Please note if you are planning to go to the warming center overnight, we ask that you call for your drive before 11:30pm and please bring your own pillows and blankets. Cots are provided.

As the demand for our Waming Centers is reduced, we ask businesses, community groups, and citizens to check with the teams at those centers to coordinate donations of food to ensure we minimize waste. Once again we thank everyone for their overwhelming generosity and community spirit.

Our Public Works Crews are making very good headway. They are once again out in full force today, and their focus continues to be on removing debris from the roads. As we had previously mentioned, this task will take a week or more but we can see the progress all around us.

Ongoing information:

We are asking citizens with further questions about power outages to please direct your inquires to NB Power so as not to tie up the resources at the Police Communications Center, as they continue to experience a high call volume in their own right.

All recreation facilities and programs will remain closed until further notice and will be re-evaluated Monday at noon.

Water is available at the warming centers for those who need to bring some home, but people are reminded to bring their own containers to fill.

Several sites for tree and brush drop offs around the city are now open. They will be clearly identified with 4x8 foot signs and will be located at:

Newcastle - Cardinal Park at 650 Beaverbrook Road

Nelson - Miramichi ski club at 127 Nelson street.

Douglastown - Former Benny Vautour Ballfield 86 McKinnon road. Near the corner of McKinnon and Williston.

Chatham – In the Industrial Park across from 170 Walsh avenue

Loggieville - 1100 Wellington street

For those who may not be able to get their debris to these sites now, we will also provide a similar service in the spring.

Two locations for the drop off and disposal of spoiled food. Fero bins for disposal have been placed at the Golden Hawk Rec Center (8 Pollard Blvd) and at the old Fire Station in Newcastle (15 Jane Street)

We are continuing to ask citizens to conserve water.

Once again we want to remind everyone that all storm related calls to the police, fire, and public works departments are being handled on a priority basis.

Please be mindful of all NB Power and Public Works crews working out there.

We will continue to update the public Monday and it is our hope that we will be able to see things start to return to some normalcy after our noon Monday reevaluation of the recovery efforts.

Thank You,

Mayor Adam Lordon