Updated at 4:24 pm
EARL HITS MARITIMES
Earl has made an impact on the Maritimes.
The storm's classification as a hurricane or tropical storm was a matter of debate when it made land 85 kilometres southwest of Lunenburg at 10:30 am Saturday.
But the Canadian Hurricane Centre says the difference between a hurricane and a tropical storm is a wind speed of only eight kilometres an hour.
Forecaster Chris Fogarty says an offshore buoy recorded wind speeds of 120 kilometres-an-hour, making it a Category 1 hurricane.
Power outages spread across Nova Scotia and more than 215-thousand customers were without power by mid-Saturday afternoon, including more than 16-thousand in Colchester, Cumberland, Pictou & Hants counties.
Power restoration times vary from tomorrow morning until Monday evening, although NSP spokesman David Rhodenizer tells our newsroom those are worst case scenarios.
And with power outages, the province's fire marshall is advising people not to use candles, unless they have to, and if they're using candles, make sure they are properly supported.
Also, the fire marshall says propane and liquid camp stoves are for outdoor use ONLY; extension cords running from a home with power to one without is dangerous to repair crews and can put both homes in danger in an electrical fire; generators should be operated in well ventilated locations outdoors away from doors, windows and vent openings; and make sure appliances like stoves are turned off -- they can be fire risks when the power is restored and no one notices they're on.
Some good news, though -- Officials with Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office and the RCMP had no major incidents to report.
Mike Myette, EMO director of emergency services, says it can take hours or days after a storm passes before its real impact is known.
RCMP Constable Meredith Darrah says driving conditions are hazardous because of hydroplaning, but there were no major accidents in the province.
In Truro, police reported a number of trees had blown down on Willow, Brunswick and Prince Streets, as well as other areas, but there were no reports of injuries.
ER CLOSURE, CEHHA READY FOR EARL
The emergency department in Tatamagouche is closed again this weekend.
The ER at Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital shut down at 7 Saturday morning and will be closed for a total of 49 hours, re-opening Monday morning at 8.
There is a shortage of available physicians.
Meanwhile, Colchester East Hants Health Authority CEO Peter MacKinnon says they are confident with the measures put in place ahead of Hurricane Earl.
He says they are prepared for the possibility that the storm could have a severe impact on local communities.
TRURO RED CROSS URGES PREPARATION
The Red Cross says it's time to get a plan together to deal with Earl.
Mona O'Brien, with the organization's Truro office, says people should be making sure everything is secure on their properties and have an emergency kit.
In the kit, O'Brien says there should be cash, in case ATMs are down, bottled water, non-perishable food, and a crank or battery-operated radio.
As for people skeptical about the storm, O'Brien points out that it only takes an hour to put together an emergency kit and make sure lawn furniture is secure.
She says doing that will make the situation less of an emergency, and more of an inconvenience.
To get more information on storm preparation, check out the Red Cross Site -- www.redcross.ca/ready
FORMER CHIEF FACES WEAPONS CHARGES
A former chief and current Shubenacadie First Nation band councillor faces weapons charges following the seizure of a large cache of weapons from his Millbrook home this week.
An RCMP team entered Alex Butch McDonald's house early Thursday morning and seized 16 long guns, three handguns, four bullet-proof vests and a large amount of ammunition.
Colchester RCMP Sergeant Al Affleck says officers were surprised at the number of weapons they found and that they were not secured
He says the weapons were found in a barrel in a closet.
McDonald was chief of Shubenacadie First Nation in 2006.
CANCELLATIONS
- Northumberland Ferries has cancelled all of its crossings between Nova Scotia & PEI until further notice
- All scheduled football games at the Gerry Hale Football Jamboree in Burnside have been cancelled
- The Junior A exhibition game at Colchester Legion Stadium between the Truro Bearcats and Weeks Crushers tonight has been cancelled
- The dance tonight at the Noel fire hall has been cancelled
- Tonight's Salvation Army Coffee House has been cancelled
- Toney River dance cancelled
- Tonight's dance at the Nine Mile River Community Centre has also been cancelled
