A growing number of power outages is being reported by Nova Scotia Power as an intense storm makes its way to Atlantic Canada.
As of 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the utility was reporting some 18,000 customers were affected.
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The majority of power outages are in the Halifax area.
Nova Scotia Power has said it will have more than 1,000 people at the ready — its biggest-ever pre-storm mobilization of personnel — to respond to the severe winter storm.
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Environment Canada has issued winter storm warnings and watches for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I. and parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, saying the low-pressure system east of Cape Hatteras will bring fierce winds and heavy snow.
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It says the system could bring 45 cm of snow and roughly 30 mm of rain, along with wind gusts of up to 170 km/h in some areas.
With a file from the Canadian Press