A spring storm has swept through Nova Scotia, causing significant power outages across the province. As of 9:30 a.m. on March 17, 2026, more than 28,000 outages were reported, with Dartmouth and Clayton Park among the hardest-hit areas.
In Dartmouth alone, approximately 4,700 customers lost power, while about 5,200 outages were reported in Clayton Park. The storm’s impact has been widespread, with roughly 53,000 customers experiencing electricity loss since the onset of the severe weather.
Environment Canada issued wind warnings for much of Nova Scotia, predicting gusts of up to 100 kilometres an hour in certain regions. CityNews Meteorologist Allister Aalders noted, “It’s a widespread 30 to 50 mm of rain in the Halifax area, and I think most will be in the 40 to 50 mm range, and because we could see localized downpours or thunderstorms, there could be pockets of 60 mm.” This heavy rainfall, combined with melting snow, raises concerns about potential flooding in areas with poor drainage.
As the storm progressed, the gusty winds and wet conditions did not deter residents from enjoying St. Patrick’s Day festivities in downtown Halifax. However, the situation prompted Nova Scotia Power to deploy more than 300 technicians and crews to address the outages and restore electricity to affected customers.
The current state of power restoration efforts remains ongoing, with crews working diligently to resolve the outages. Residents are advised to stay informed about the situation and heed any safety warnings issued by local authorities.
This sequence of events highlights the challenges faced by Nova Scotia Power in managing widespread outages during severe weather conditions. The impact on thousands of customers underscores the importance of preparedness and rapid response in the face of natural disasters.
