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Record-breaking temperatures, wind chill cause water pipes to freeze, burst across P.E.I.

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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Following record-breaking weekend temperatures, many individuals throughout P.E.I. are coping with the aftermath of frozen pipes and damaged water traces.

Whereas temperatures plummeted as little as -27.1 C in Charlottetown in the course of the early hours of Feb. 4, different areas of the province broke long-standing native data for the coldest temperatures.

In East Level and St. Peters Bay, temperatures reached -26.9 C in each areas, exceeding the bottom recorded temperatures of -26.1 C in 1971 and -23.9 C in 1961 respectively. In Prince County, temperatures dropped to -26.7 C in Summerside, exceeding the earlier report of -24.4 C set in 1931.

Nevertheless, these venturing outdoors early on Feb. 4 doubtless felt lots colder, as SaltWire Community climate specialist Allister Aalders mentioned windchills throughout the Island made it really feel nearer to -40 C to -45 C.

This excessive drop in temperature wreaked havoc on many buildings all through the province.

In Charlottetown, firefighters responded to 35 calls between Feb. 4-5, half of which had been on account of harm and flooding in buildings brought on by the frigid temperatures, mentioned a Metropolis of Charlottetown spokesperson in an electronic mail to SaltWire Community on Feb. 6.

“That’s nicely above the typical of roughly two (calls) per day,” the spokesperson mentioned.

“Eighteen had been because of frozen home or hearth suppression system piping and the related leaking water harm. These buildings the place suppression programs had been broken have been positioned beneath a hearth watch till these programs have been repaired and positioned again into service.”

The ceiling of the entry way to Colville Manor in Souris collapsed over the weekend after freezing temperatures on Jan. 4 caused the sprinkler pipes above it to freeze and burst. Contributed - Cody McEachern
The ceiling of the entry technique to Colville Manor in Souris collapsed over the weekend after freezing temperatures on Jan. 4 induced the sprinkler pipes above it to freeze and burst. Contributed – Cody McEachern

The spokesperson mentioned among the locations that skilled harm included Superior Sanitation, Island Abby Meals, the Mount Persevering with Care Group and several other condominium buildings all through town.

Harm additionally occurred on the Sir Louis Henry Davies Courts after pipes burst inside the constructing, inflicting flooding all through the constructing and forcing it to stay closed till repairs will be accomplished.

Vicki Tse, senior communications officer for the Division of Justice and Public Security, mentioned Courtroom 5 sustained probably the most harm and can doubtless require a number of weeks to restore.

“Assessments and inspections are underway to find out which areas will be reopened as shortly as potential. A agency date or timeline can’t be offered right now till assessments and inspections are accomplished,” she mentioned on Feb. 6, noting a public discover shall be launched when assessments are accomplished.

Some long-term care amenities are additionally in want of repairs following the weekend’s excessive temperatures. In O’Leary, the Margaret Stewart Ellis Residence had points with its air heating system, inflicting the ability to function on lowered warmth.

Everton McLean, senior communications officer for Well being P.E.I., mentioned in an electronic mail that employees introduced in electrical heaters to maintain residents on the facility comfy whereas the problems with the system are being addressed.

In the meantime, on the different finish of the Island, the ceiling on the entrance to Colville Manor in Souris collapsed after the sprinkler pipes above the doorway and reception space froze and burst.

“There’s a good quantity of water harm and flooding. Crews are working to scrub every thing up,” mentioned Dave Atkinson, senior communications officer for Well being P.E.I.

Atkinson mentioned the harm is restricted to the reception space and a few places of work inside the constructing and famous not one of the residents or employees have been impacted.

“Energy is on. Warmth is on. The telephone works. It’s simply clear up now,” he mentioned in an electronic mail on Feb. 6.



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