Power outage on Halifax peninsula closes mall, library

Power outages on the Halifax peninsula are stalling traffic and affecting popular weekend hang-outs.

Both the Halifax Shopping Centre and the Halifax Central Library have closed until Monday after losing power earlier today.

Much of the power has been restored downtown, but many homes and businesses still remain without power around the Joseph Howe Drive and Mumford Road area.

Traffic lights are also out along major arteries in that area. Halifax Regional Police is warning traffic is "a mess" there.

In all, about 4,000 customers lost power Sunday afternoon in peninsular Halifax, according Nova Scotia Power's outage map.

Outside of the peninsula, about 2,300 customers remain without power in Kirkmount and Thorburn, near New Glasgow.

Earlier Sunday, Halifax Regional Municipality warned that strong gusting wind knocked down trees, branches and some power lines.

The causes of these particular outages remains under investigation, according to Nova Scotia Power.