A state of emergency has been declared in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia after heavy rains washed away roads and bridges.
A state of emergency has been declared in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia after heavy rains washed away roads and bridges.
Heavy rain on Canada’s east coast prompted authorities to declare a province-wide state of emergency Saturday evening to limit travel to affected areas, free up more response crews and buy time to restore critical infrastructure.
Heavy rain on Canada’s east coast prompted authorities to declare a province-wide state of emergency Saturday evening to limit travel to affected areas, free up more response crews and buy time to restore critical infrastructure.
Four people are missing after severe thunderstorms swept across a large area of Nova Scotia over the past two days.
Four people are missing after severe thunderstorms swept across a large area of Nova Scotia over the past two days.
Floodwaters submerged multiple vehicles, two such incidents in West Hants, north of Halifax, and left two adults and two children missing as of Saturday morning, Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokeswoman Cindy Byers said.
Floodwaters submerged multiple vehicles, two such incidents in West Hants, north of Halifax, and left two adults and two children missing as of Saturday morning, Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokeswoman Cindy Byers said.
Byers said two of the children went missing after the vehicle they were traveling in became trapped under water, while the other three passengers were able to escape safely.
Byers said two of the children went missing after the vehicle they were traveling in became trapped under water, while the other three passengers were able to escape safely.
Two other individuals, described by Byers as a youth and a man, were unaccounted for after a separate vehicle sank. Two other people in that vehicle were rescued and police are actively searching for the four missing people, she said.
Two other individuals, described by Byers as a youth and a man, were unaccounted for after a separate vehicle sank. Two other people in that vehicle were rescued and police are actively searching for the four missing people, she said.
Drizzle began to fall across the Halifax region on Friday afternoon, with some areas receiving more than 200mm of rain. The port city usually receives 90-100 mm of rainfall in July.
Drizzle began to fall across the Halifax region on Friday afternoon, with some areas receiving more than 200mm of rain. The port city usually receives 90-100 mm of rainfall in July.
Environment Canada said Saturday that some areas received more than 300 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, based on radar estimates and unofficial observations. Radar maps show the heaviest rain extending north of Halifax along the southwest coast of the province.
Environment Canada said Saturday that some areas received more than 300 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, based on radar estimates and unofficial observations. Radar maps show the heaviest rain extending north of Halifax along the southwest coast of the province.
Widespread flooding was also reported in Lunenburg County, west of the Halifax region.
Widespread flooding was also reported in Lunenburg County, west of the Halifax region.
On Friday night, water levels rose so quickly in the Bedford area that volunteers with Halifax Search and Rescue used small boats to rescue people from submerged homes.
On Friday night, water levels rose so quickly in the Bedford area that volunteers with Halifax Search and Rescue used small boats to rescue people from submerged homes.
In the Hammonds Plains area northwest of the city, flooding washed out driveways and the shoulders of several roads.
In the Hammonds Plains area northwest of the city, flooding washed out driveways and the shoulders of several roads.
16,000 residents were affected in the same area where the wildfires that started on May 28 destroyed 151 homes and businesses.
16,000 residents were affected in the same area where the wildfires that started on May 28 destroyed 151 homes and businesses.
(with inputs from agencies)
(with inputs from agencies)