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The damage from a torrential downpour that dumped more than 200 millimetres of rain on parts of Cape Breton is unlike anything local officials have seen before.
“We’ve never experienced anything to this size and effect,” said Terry Doyle, CAO for Port Hawkesbury, N.S. “And certainly, that’s what I’m being told by others as well.”
Doyle spoke Sunday from an emergency response co-ordination centre where representatives from Victoria, Inverness and Richmond counties and the province are gathered. A state of emergency was declared Saturday for those three counties.
Doyle said the bulk of the damage is in Richmond County, around Bras d’Or Lake, where floodwaters have washed out numerous roads, bridges and driveways.
Municipal leaders are urging residents to stay home so emergency crews can safely repair infrastructure.
Inverness County Warden Bonny MacIsaac echoed that plea, warning drivers that covered roads may be structurally unstable beneath the water. Anyone who must travel should check provincial road conditions at 511 first, she added.
Widespread washouts have left some residents stranded. Amanda Mombourquette, councillor for Richmond County District 4, expressed concern for vulnerable residents cut off from emergency services and essential groceries.
Rainfall warnings remain in effect across Victoria and Cape Breton counties. Environment Canada forecasts an additional 10 to 20 millimetres of rain through Monday morning, with higher localized totals possible.
As of 8:30 a.m. AT Sunday, Nova Scotia Power’s outage map shows that more than 5,000 customers provincewide are without power, primarily in Chéticamp.
Coun. Claude Poirier, who represents Chéticamp on Inverness County council, said most of the community is without power.
He said he wasn’t aware of damage or road closures in the area because of the storm.
Poirier said the local Legion and fire department have opened up comfort centres so people can charge their devices or have a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Cape Breton municipalities have established a toll-free support line at 902-625-7888 for residents to report non-emergency storm issues.
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