HALIFAX—The city is recommending people living close to the ocean leave their homes as Dorian’s path brings it barrelling towards Nova Scotia this weekend.

A hurricane warning has been issued.

“The latest forecasts predict high winds, considerable rainfall, and significant storm surges. Waves are expected to reach heights of 15-metres (49-feet), which could create dangerous conditions for residents living near the water,” a statement from Halifax Regional Municipality said on Friday.

The municipality says the high-risk areas are the Sambro region, Peggy’s Cove and along the Eastern Shore. They are asking people living in these areas “to make plans immediately to evacuate.”

“Citizens are encouraged to be in alternative locations prior to the arrival of the storm,” the release said.

“While this is a voluntary evacuation, the municipality is urging everyone in high-risk areas to find alternative shelter arrangements for the weekend.”

Environment Canada had first issued a hurricane watch for all of the province on Friday morning, along with wind and rainfall warnings.

The latest projected track for Dorian issued by the Canadian Hurricane Centre had the storm’s centre sliding just east of Halifax around 9 p.m. Saturday.

On Friday afternoon, Environment Canada changed the hurricane watch to a hurricane warning for Halifax and other parts of the province.

“Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions,” the warning read.

Halifax could get as much as 100 millimetres of rain from the storm, with other areas of Nova Scotia possibly hitting 150 millimetres, which could result in flooding.

Wind speeds could hit as high as 150 km/h as well along the coast.

On Friday, many people in Halifax were hitting up stores to make sure they were ready for the pending storm, especially if it results in a lengthy power outage.

The longest lines appear to be at Costco. Posts to social media show dozens of people waiting for propane refills at the Costco location in Bayers Lake.

Fishermen along Nova Scotia's Atlantic Coast were expressing worries about Dorian's potential strength as boats were moved to sheltered areas and tied together tightly.

“There's a huge amount of activity around the dock,” said Evan d'Entremont, the 60-year-old owner of Evans Fresh Seafoods in West Pubnico, on Nova Scotia's southwestern coast, home to one of Canada's busiest areas of commercial fishing.

“Hopefully, we won't have too many tidal surges,” d’Entremont said. “That's the killer down here.”

Most vessels in the area had returned to the wharves by Friday afternoon. Fishermen tied them up together in long rows with secure lines and thick bumpers.

“There's not too much you can do,” said Jamey Mood, 38, a fisherman who lives in West Pubnico.

“You have to make sure your bow and stern lines are doubled and tripled up and make sure your extra bumpers are out so that you don't beat the other boats all to pieces ... Some boats are tied five in a row.”

Like most Nova Scotians, Mood was also busy buying propane for the barbecue, gasoline for the car and laying in a three-day store of water and non-perishable food. He said he's also sharpening his chainsaw, expecting that when wind takes down trees he'll be called upon to help clean up the debris.

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Meanwhile, Max Kenney, the harbourmaster of the Cape Sable Island Harbour Authority, said his island — the southernmost point of Nova Scotia — regularly weathers gusts over 120 km/h in the winter.

But if the winds are stronger than that and sustained, while seas rise and tides pound, he's concerned aging port infrastructure on the eastern side of the island will be ripped apart.

He estimated 90 per cent of the island's 250 fishing vessels have been moved from the eastern side, which faces the Atlantic Ocean, to seek shelter on the western side.

The municipality’s emergency management team is busy preparing for a hurricane.

On Friday afternoon, the municipality announced that all of Halifax Transit, including buses, Access-A-Bus and ferry service will suspend service for a 24-hour period starting Saturday at 12 noon.

They city says the earliest that service would be back up and running is Sunday at 12 noon.

Halifax Regional Centre for Education also issued a release Friday to say they have plans in place this weekend to “inspect all of our buildings” following the passing of Dorian and “and make decisions about Monday opening if necessary.”

Erica Fleck, division chief of emergency management for Halifax Regional Municipality, told media on Friday afternoon that the biggest concern was the storm surge and waves, which is why coastal communities were being advised to evacuate.

She said the conditions would be reassessed on Saturday to determine whether mandatory evacuations should be ordered.

In the meantime, Fleck said residents should clear their properties of anything that could be picked up and tossed around by strong winds. With the forecast calling for sustained winds of 140 km/h, Fleck said flying objects could do “quite a bit of damage.”

The HRM emergency division is co-ordinating with the province’s Emergency Management Office (EMO). The EMO launched its operations centre on Friday at noon and planned to operate around the clock, throughout the weekend.

Nova Scotia’s EMO also released a hurricane statement Thursday, advising people to move important documents or electronics from their basements up higher in their homes, to check on their neighbours, to keep pets inside and cut any damaged tree limbs on their property.

Nova Scotia Power (NSP) is also gathering personnel and resources together for the storm.

In a release Friday, the RCMP in Nova Scotia was asking people to be “mindful of the dangers that the storm may present,” including possible hydroplaning and reduced visibility.

“Drivers may also encounter windblown debris on the road and sudden flooding which can be dangerous for motorists and detrimental to highway conditions,” the statement said on Friday. “The RCMP encourage the public to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and refrain from unnecessary travel until after the storm has passed and cleanup efforts are complete.”

— with files from Haley Ryan, Taryn Grant and The Canadian Press

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