Heavy rainfall is anticipated to persist in certain areas of Cape Breton on Monday following a weekend of intense rain. Over 200 millimetres of precipitation drenched parts of the island, causing significant damage to roads, culverts, and bridges. Local states of emergency in Richmond, Inverness, and Victoria counties are still in effect.
Environment Canada initially issued rainfall alerts for eastern Cape Breton, including metro Sydney and Cape Breton and Victoria counties on Monday morning, but these warnings have been lifted. Rainfall amounts between 25 to 40 millimetres are forecasted from Monday morning through the afternoon, with the possibility of higher amounts during thunderstorms.
Tragically, a 46-year-old woman from Cape Breton who was reported missing on Saturday morning was discovered deceased in a flooded area of Richmond County later that day, as confirmed by Nova Scotia RCMP.
Warden Lois Landry highlighted the severe impact of the unprecedented rainfall on local infrastructure, with communities like the one near River Bourgeois cut off. Emergency crews are prioritizing the opening of access routes to these affected areas.
Jackie Organ, warden of Victoria County, mentioned awaiting assessments from local emergency services before lifting the state of emergency around Iona. Organ emphasized the need for caution due to more significant damages than initially anticipated.
Residents are advised by Organ to prioritize safety on compromised roads and promptly report any issues to local authorities.
