A lot of Pictou County is still in the dark after Hurricane Fiona caused extensive damage to communities throughout the province.

Extensive damage to power poles due to fallen trees are making restorations a long and more complicated process than anticipated. 

According to the Nova Scotia Power website there are over 145,000 customers still in the dark, around 17,000 of them reside in the Pictou County area. 

Estimated restoration times are spanning into late Thursday night.

 

A number of comfort centres are opening across the county for people without power to get a hot beverage, charge devices, and certain locations will have diapers and baby formula available for families that need it. The majority of these comfort centres will be open during their scheduled hours until power is fully restored in their area. 

 

The Nova Scotia Government is offering money to people dealing with the effects of Hurricane Fiona.

During a news conference Monday, Premier Tim Houston announced several financial relief packages aimed at helping both residents and businesses.

The supports include a disaster relief assitance fund that will cover certain uninsured losses up to $200,000.

There will be no deductible for residents and small business owners. 

Applications for the program can be found on novascotia.ca or at your local MLA Office.

They also announced one-time financial assistance for the following

• $100 per householfd that lost power for over 48 hours to cover the cost of spoiled food.
• $250 for every person that has to pay for tree or debris removal from their property.
• Anyone recieving the seniors care grant will automatically recieve an extra $250 to help with storm repairs.
• $150 to all current income assistance recipients.
• And $1000 per household in emergency funding for those who were required to evacuate their homes that have registered with the Red Cross

 

RCMP believe that the 81-year-old Lower Prospect man that was reported missing over the weekend was swept out to sea during the storm.

Larry Smith was last seen Friday Evening.

The RCMP said they conducted an exhaustive search with help from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, Halifax Search and Rescue, and air support from a Department of Natural Resources Helicopter.

The RCMP said in a statement that while search efforts have concluded on the belief that Mr. Smith entered the water, the file will remain open, and new search activities will be considered should new information be received.

At a news conference yesterday, Premier Tim Houston said his heart goes out to Smith’s family. 

 

All Schools and offices in the Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education are closed again today so they can restore power and clean up school grounds before classes can safely resume.

StFX University has cancelled all classes today, and NSCC Pictou Campus has cancelled classes, but the building will be open for members of the community to charge their devices.