People wave-watching during Lee ‘disheartening,’ Halifax councillor says

During post-tropical storm Lee, dozens of people flocked to waterfronts and shorelines to watch waves, despite the dangers of doing so.

Pam Lovelace understands that it may be exciting to go wave-watching during an extreme weather event — like the recent post-tropical storm Lee, which swept through the Maritimes over the weekend — but says people don’t always understand the danger.

“It’s not safe. People need to understand that they have to stay away from the coastline,” said Lovelace, a Halifax-area councillor whose district includes the coastal area of Peggy’s Cove.

During the storm Saturday, wave-watchers came out in full force in coastal areas and on waterfronts, despite being urged not to by municipal officials.

“It’s very disheartening to know how many people ignored the very good advice that was given, to stay away from the coastline during this storm,” she said.

“We need community members to listen to the advice of our professional service management personnel.”

Lovelace said during the storm, vehicles were seen driving in the Queensland area as rocks and debris were being thrown into the road by the powerful storm surge.

Peggy’s Cove, a popular tourist attraction, had to be shut down Saturday morning and a security guard was tasked with deterring the dozens of people from flocking to the area to gawk at the sea.

“I think the message isn’t getting out to people: that they have to stay away and that it’s extremely dangerous,” Lovelace said.