Storm paralyzes Canada's East Coast

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- An emergency was declared Thursday in Canada's eastern province of Nova Scotia, where a severe winter storm has brought life to a virtual standstill.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported the other two maritime provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick also have been similarly hit by heavy snow and high winds, creating treacherous driving conditions.

The Confederation Bridge linking New Brunswick with Prince Edward Island has been shut down.

Businesses, government offices and schools are closed across both Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Flights have been canceled or delayed at Halifax, Charlottetown and Moncton airports.

Some areas were expecting as much as a foot of snow Thursday, with winds exceeding 60 mph.

"Conditions are the worst I have seen in 22 years," said Scott Burbridge with the Mounted Police in Halifax.

Authorities warned high tides could bring storm surges to low lying areas. In a storm surge, wind and pressure force tide levels higher than normal.