Prepare for outages from post-tropical storms, hurricanes, nor'easters and ice in Atlantic Canada, with Nova Scotia's official resources and tips.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, but winter storms and ice also cause long outages.
- Use your province's emergency site, such as Emergency Info Nova Scotia, and enable Alert Ready alerts.
- Fill water containers before a storm if you have a well pump.
Atlantic Canada faces outages from several kinds of storms. Late summer and fall bring hurricanes and post-tropical systems with heavy rain and wind. Winter brings nor'easters, heavy snow and freezing rain. Long coastlines, many tree-lined roads and many rural communities mean repairs can take a while.
The advice below applies across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. The names of the utilities and alert services change by province, so look yours up before the next storm.
Know your season
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the U.S. National Weather Service, and Canadian provinces plan around the same window. Not every storm arrives as a hurricane. Many reach Canada as post-tropical storms, which can still bring damaging winds, storm surge and flooding. Winter storms are a separate season of risk, with snow load, ice and coastal flooding.
Read our hurricane power outage checklist and the ice storm guide for the details on each.
Official resources by province
- Nova Scotia: Emergency Info Nova Scotia is the provincial site for hazard guides on floods, wildfires, hurricanes and power outages. It links to NS Alert, road conditions and other tools. The electric utility is Nova Scotia Power.
- New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador: each province runs its own emergency measures office and has its own utility, such as NB Power, Maritime Electric and Newfoundland Power. Check their sites for outage maps and alert sign-ups.
- National: Alert Ready sends urgent alerts to TV, radio and compatible phones. Switch emergency alerts on in your phone settings.
Our alerts and outage reporting guide explains how to combine them.
Before a hurricane or big storm
Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office has long advised households to prepare for storms with simple steps:
- Stock at least a three-day supply of food and water.
- Follow local media and test your radio batteries.
- Secure or bring in outdoor furniture, bins, planters and other loose items.
- Refuel your vehicle and park it away from trees.
- Keep pets indoors and check on neighbours.
- If the power fails, never leave candles burning unattended. Use battery lights instead.
Headlamps and lanterns are safer than candles. See our headlamp and lantern guide.
Wells, water and flooding
Many Atlantic households rely on a private well, and a well pump stops when the power goes out. Fill containers before a storm and store about 4 litres (1 gallon) of water per person per day. After heavy flooding, a well can become contaminated, so treat or avoid the water until it is tested. See how to purify water in an emergency and bleach and tablet treatment.
Basements can flood from storm surge, rain or a failed sump pump. If water is near outlets or the panel, stay out and call a qualified electrician. Our sump pump guide explains backup options.
Longer outages and winter
Restoration can take days in a major storm, since crews must clear roads and trees first. Plan one warm room, extra blankets and no-cook meals. See staying warm without power and best no-cook foods.
Use the 72-hour checklist and keep a small battery station for phones and a radio. The outage planner helps you size one.
After the storm passes
Once the wind drops, hazards remain. Trees may be leaning, roads may be washed out and power lines may be down and live. Stay off the roads if you can, because crews need clear access. Check on neighbours, especially older people and those living alone, and share a charged phone or a hot meal if you have one. Photograph damage for insurance before you clean up, and keep receipts. Do not use flooded appliances or outlets until a qualified person has checked them. If you ran a generator, keep running it outdoors only, and refuel it only when it is off and cool.
Restoring power can take longer in rural areas, so keep your kit stocked until it comes back. Replace anything you used right away.
Quick answers
When is hurricane season in Atlantic Canada?
The Atlantic season runs June 1 to November 30. Many storms reach Canada as post-tropical systems that still bring strong wind and flooding.
What should I do first before a big storm?
Stock three days of food and water, charge devices, test radio batteries, secure outdoor items and refuel your vehicle.