Sydney, N.S., residents brave the cold after strong dip in temperatures

First at Five looks at how Maritimers are coping with the frigid temperatures.

Unless you were bundled up well, walking the streets of Sydney wasn’t for the faint of heart on Tuesday.

“I’m from India, and this is my first semester at CBU (Cape Breton University) and yeah, it’s too cold,” said an international student walking in downtown Sydney, where air temperatures between -11C and -13C felt more like -24C with Tuesday’s windchill factor.

The wind gusting off Sydney Harbour made feel-like conditions considerably harsh in Cape Breton’s largest city - although the polar air had swept through much of the Maritimes by the time Tuesday dawned.

“I took my dogs for a walk this morning, and it was -22C with the windchill factor,” said Marco Amati, executive director of Loaves and Fishes in Sydney.

At the downtown Sydney soup kitchen and food bank, some came in from the cold for a hot meal.

People also dropped-in to spend a few minutes somewhere warm; the building had new heat pumps installed two years ago.

“They are newer models, and we were told that for the Arctic climate that these were good,” Amati said. “Down to at least -20C, so we’re confident, and they’re all working great.”

Meanwhile, the head of the Sydney area’s community homeless shelter on Townsend Street – which is open 24 hours – said their Street Outreach Team was checking in on those who live outdoors, offering them the option to come inside.

Some others escaped the cold by heading into the Ally Centre, a couple of blocks away.

When it comes to keeping pipes from freezing, Halifax-area plumber Trevor Wheatley said a swing in temperatures like the one the region has witnessed in recent days can catch people off guard.

“Well, the best thing you can do is keep your heat up,” Wheatley said. “People who want to be, you know, energy-conscious with stuff – it can bite them, because a temperature drop like this, it can cause some damage, for sure.”

While streets and sidewalks were mostly clear, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality said crews were out salting them anyway.

The city was also advising people to be prepared before heading outdoors.

“Check the weather, know what you’re getting yourself into, dress appropriately, and stay inside as much as you can,” said Jenna MacQueen of CBRM Communications.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the Cape Breton Community Homeless Shelter - Fred Deveaux - told CTV Atlantic that if numbers warrant it, additional space can be opened at the Emergency Weather Centre, which is in the basement of the homeless shelter, for anyone experiencing homelessness.

The colder-than-normal weather is expected to continue into Wednesday and Thursday.

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