A state of emergency continued in Cape Breton on Sunday following a severe storm with strong winds and heavy rainfall in northeastern Nova Scotia. Warden Lois Landry mentioned that Richmond County in the southeast of the island was significantly impacted by the storm. Despite not being categorized as a hurricane, the storm caused damage comparable to a Category 1 hurricane, including fallen trees blocking roads and power outages.
The storm led to road and bridge damage across the island, affecting communities like Cape Breton Regional Municipality. While some areas experienced minimal damage, others such as River Bourgeois and St. Georges Channel remained cut off due to wash-outs.
Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria counties, along with the Town of Port Hawkesbury, declared a state of emergency due to fallen trees, power outages, and flooding. Efforts are underway to restore emergency access and assess the infrastructure’s condition post-submersion.
The storm may have resulted in a fatality, although the cause of death is unconfirmed. Authorities are evaluating the extent of the damage and potential costs associated with recovery efforts.
Residents have come together to support each other, including volunteers who assisted in warning motorists about compromised roads. Public works crews have been active in addressing road closures and damages, with some bridges requiring replacement.
While most of Port Hawkesbury’s streets are the town’s responsibility, roads in the rural counties are provincially owned. Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton expects a significant cost to repair damages in the town, including fixing a damaged street caused by a fallen tree.
Authorities are working to restore normalcy, with the hope of lifting the state of emergency in several areas soon. The community is showing resilience in the face of adversity, rallying to support those affected by the storm.
