Winter storm blankets Maritimes

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- An early winter storm hit the Canadian Maritime provinces early Saturday, closing roads and bringing down power lines.

The snow was so heavy in Prince Edward Island that plows were pulled off the road in the western part of the island, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The Confederation Bridge, which connects the island to New Brunswick, was closed at 10 a.m. local time after a stretch of several hours during which high trucks were banned.

Power outages were widespread on Prince Edward Island. At least 1,000 homes and businesses were without power in New Brunswick and 9,000 in Nova Scotia.

A number of roads were closed, including the highway connecting Truro, Nova Scotia, to New Brunswick and most roads in Cumberland County in eastern Nova Scotia.

Most flights out of Halifax were canceled and incoming planes were unable to land.