Four missing after historic rainfall in Nova Scotia, millions in damage reported

Two children are among the missing after the vehicle they were in submerged under water in West Hants. Three others were able to get out.

Meantime, a man and another young person are unaccounted for after their vehicle went under water. Two others were rescued.

“RCMP say they are not identifying the missing people at this stage.

We are asking the public not to leave their homes in a search for the missing as current conditions are dangerous.” – RCMP Statement

We have no further reports of missing people or of any injuries at this time. We are, however, continuing to receive reports of stranded people relating to flooding conditions.

The never-ending rain has left millions of dollars worth of damage to roads and bridges, flooded homes and stalled vehicles. It caused flash flooding washing out roads, stranding motorists, and flooding buildings.

Between 200 and 300 mm of rain fell over a 24-hour period in some areas.

The areas around Lower Sackville and Bedford were particularly hard hit.

An emergency alert that went out just before midnight reported Rails to Trails in the Bedford Sackville area collapsed and a number of highways and streets were impassable. There were numerous images shared across social media of motorists stranded in deep water, some seeking refuge on the roof of their vehicles while they awaited rescue.

Softball fields in Bedford. Source: Submitted

Many homeowners weee knee deep in water in their basements late Friday evening and now waiting for insurance investigators to assess the damage.

Premier Tim Houston declared a state of emergency on Saturday due to damage from flooding.

It will allow for the province to work with its partners in a coordinated response to and recovery.

The state of emergency will:

— limit travel in heavily impacted areas
— allow the deployment of key human and physical assets to aid in the response and recovery
— facilitate the coordinated restoration of impacted critical infrastructure

Bridge washout in Middle River in Chester Basin

Here is a look at just some of the road closures from the 511 road map.

Source: 511

Halifax Water had to recall its staff to the depot due to the dangerous situation overnight but have been out working on repairs. The number to call for assistance from Halifax Water is 902.420.9287 but the utility, as can be expected, is reporting high call volumes.

The South Shore of Nova Scotia was also hit hard.

Highway 333 to Peggy’s Cove, just past Shag End, has been washed out. A number of other roads on the South Shore are closed due to storm damage.

The Department of Public Works has updates on a number of road closures. The Highway 102 exit 4C to 3, which was under water during the peak of the storm has reopened, but you are advised to drive with caution.

RCMP have been asking people to say off the roads unless it’s an emergency.

Many highways are littered with vehicles that were swamped by the flooding and will have to be towed.  Police have marked many of the vehicles with yellow tape.  Click here for details.

A map shows where all the road closures are in the Halifax municipality.

This bridge was wiped out in the Chester Basin area and another video shows a washout on Baker Settlement Road on the South Shore.

This map shows the number of lightning strikes during the storm Friday and overnight Saturday.

As of 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nova Scotia Power is reporting just under 5,000 customers without power. At the peak of the storm, there were close to 70,000.

Crews were unable to work for much of the night due to the lightning.

For the latest update check the outage map by clicking here.