One person has died after massive flooding in in parts of Cape Breton.
The Richmond County RCMP say they got a report around 8:45 a.m. Saturday that a 46-year-old woman from Cleveland was missing, according to a news release from RCMP.
They say her vehicle was found parked near her home on the far side of a flooded bridge.
After ground search and rescue went looking, along with RCMP and local fire teams, they found her body around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
They say her death is not suspicious.
Top priority
Lois Landry, warden for the Municipality of the County of Richmond, says “the loss of life has been harrowing.”
“Our priority right now is to make sure that there’s no additional loss of life,” says Landry.
She says to the best of her knowledge, she does not believe anyone is missing, but they are really trying to do wellness checks for people who have been cut off by damaged roads.
The area around St. George’s Channel is the biggest concern.
Some volunteer firefighters are in the area and they have been doing wellness checks, and they believe all is good.
But they will likely send in a boat to make sure that they can get to those communities if they need.
Grateful for first responders
Landry thanked first responders, EHS, RCMP, Public Works Department staff and everyone tackling this emergency for their efforts.
She says on Saturday night, they could not get physical barriers to some places where roads were damaged, and some first responders stayed up in their vehicles at those damaged points to warn people to stay away.
Premier Tim Houston also put out a statement, saying his thoughts are with the woman’s loved ones. He thanked first responders and all the people tackling this emergency.
“To everyone in Nova Scotia, please continue to take care of yourselves and each other and follow the advice of local authorities,” he wrote.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also said in a social media post that his thoughts were with all affected. He said they are talking to the provincial government and “remain ready to provide any support needed.”
Over the past few years, several have died during floods in the province.
In 2023, four died, including two children, during a flood in West Hants. In 2024, a youth died after getting swept away in water at a park in Wolfville.
Stay off the roads
Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management, says the “tragic loss really, really underscores why we are asking people to stay off the roads unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
She adds that it is difficult to put a timeline on how long it may take to get the roads fixed because more roads could still fail with the damage done below them.
“We need to make sure that our infrastructure is clear and people are off the roads, so that we can have our crews out there assessing the damage.”
Worst of the rain over
Some of the rain plaguing the region has eased up.
Environment Canada has shifted the rain warnings now to just Victoria County, as well as the Sydney Metro and Cape Breton County areas.
However, there will likely be more rain. That is what Environment Canada Meteorologist Samantha Roach told our newsroom Saturday.
She said the heaviest of the remaining rain will taper off Sunday morning, but showers will likely continue into Monday.
“The possibility exists that there could be some more flooding with the leftover rainfall,” says Roach.
She says we have had quite a bit of rain in the last few weeks, and the ground is already saturated from the rain overnight Friday, which means the ground cannot easily absorb what is left to come.
The region, including the Town of Port Hawkesbury, as well as the Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties, have declared a state of emergency.
Flooding still affecting roads
The Emergency Management Department says flooding is still affecting roads on Sunday, both in Cape Breton and in eastern mainland Nova Scotia.
They say you should stay put, but if you have to travel, check 511 for the latest closures, and never drive through floodwater.
Repairs beginning
As of Saturday night, about 50 roads in the region were closed because of the storm, whether because of washouts, downed trees, or other damage.
But staff began transitioning to repairs as well, now that the flood waters have receded.
Keith MacDonald, CAO of the Municipality of the County of Inverness, says they are working to connect with some people who are isolated in the next couple hours. He says there are two or three pockets of people who are trapped in the county on either side by damaged or flooded roads.
He says it will likely take weeks to recover from all the damage, maybe longer.
“It’s very important to continue to pay attention to weather events. This past occurrence was much more significant than predicted. People need to be ready for these types of weather challenges,” says MacDonald.
MLA Trevor Boudreau, who represents the Richmond riding, says he’s been happy with how well the emergency teams have been working together to respond.
“There’s lots to be done and everything won’t be fixed in a day, but certainly they’re working hard,” says Boudreau.
He says he is working with the area manager and the district director to check the worst hit areas and make sure that crews responding there have everything they need.
Supports available
As of 8 a.m., anyone in the region can call a central support line to report non-emergencies. That line will close at 8 p.m., but more hours will be announced as they are confirmed, according to the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
A comfort centre has been established, as well. You can visit St. George’s Channel Hall, the Riverdale Community Centre in Lower River Inhabitants.
D’Escousse Civic Improvement Hall has also been added as a comfort centre.
There you can charge devices, stay warm, and find support as the county works through this emergency.
