(Halifax) Four people, including two children, were still missing Saturday night in Nova Scotia after torrential rains caused major flooding, road closures and power outages across much of the province.
The two children were with three other people in a car in West Hants – a largely rural town northwest of Halifax – when the vehicle became stuck underwater, said Cindy Bayers, spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in an interview with The Canadian Press. The other three occupants managed to escape, but the RCMP declined to comment further.
Also at West Hants, but in a separate incident, two other people, a youth and a man, were also missing when their vehicle became submerged. In this second vehicle, two other passengers were rescued.
PHOTO DARREN CALABRESE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
A kayaker passes by a building that has been moved by the waters in Halifax.
As first responders and search teams continued to comb the area late Saturday, RCMP confirmed that no further details would be released to prevent untrained people from putting themselves at risk trying to conduct their own search.
“I know it’s in our nature to want to help, but now is not the time,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said at an afternoon press conference. Our RCMP is asking residents of the area not to leave their homes to search for missing persons. »
Still, Mr Houston confessed he couldn’t stop thinking about the missing people and their families.
“I want them to know that we are doing everything in our power to find them. I know the whole province joins me in praying for their safe return to us. »
PHOTO DARREN CALABRESE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
This truck was abandoned in the waters in Halifax.
Twice the average monthly rainfall
Downpours began Friday afternoon in the Halifax area, dumping more than 200 millimeters of water in the Hammonds Plains, Bedford and Lower Sackville areas. The port city typically receives around 100mm of rain in an average month.
Based on radar estimates and unofficial observations, Environment Canada estimated that some areas may even have received more than 300 mm of rain in 24 hours.
PHOTO DARREN CALABRESE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
About 750 people were forced to flee their homes Friday and Saturday in the Halifax area. Major flooding was also reported in Lunenberg County, west of Halifax, where more than 400 people were evacuated.
On Friday evening, water levels rose so quickly in the Bedford area that volunteers used small boats to rescue people who were trapped in their flooded homes.
“Obviously, there are a lot of people who are affected, whether damaged homes, people at risk for their safety or thousands of people who are without electricity,” noted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of an event in the Toronto area Saturday noon.
PHOTO DARREN CALABRESE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
“With the rains which will continue, it is important to listen to the local authorities who will keep people safe. At the federal level, we are directly involved with our partners at the provincial level. We know there is a lot of work to do together and we will be there,” he promised.
Meanwhile, Halifax-area residents have been warned not to drive on the roads, including several major highways in the area. More than 30 roadblocks are already in place, mainly north and west of Halifax.
A new disaster
Saturday’s situation was reminiscent of last fall, when post-tropical storm Fiona slammed into the Atlantic provinces, killing three people, flattening dozens of homes and knocking out power to 600,000 homes and businesses. Fiona was the costliest weather event in the region’s history, causing over $800 million in insured damage.
“It’s pretty obvious that the climate is changing, with Fiona last year, wildfires this spring and now flooding in the summer,” Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in an interview with The Canadian Press. Events that only happen once every 50 years… we’re starting to have several. »
And the province may not be out of luck as rain warnings remain in effect for central and eastern Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton. 40 to 100 mm of rain are expected by Saturday evening.
“The rain could be intermittent during this episode, but torrential rains at times and a few overlapping thunderstorms could cause much greater amounts of rain in places,” said Environment Canada.
In dozens of images shared on social media, cars could be seen trying to drive while nearly submerged. Video from the Windsor Junction area, north of Halifax, also showed firefighters standing on top of their submerged truck.
At the height of the crisis, more than 70,000 homes and businesses were without power in Nova Scotia.
In the Halifax area, two emergency centers for disaster victims opened on Friday evening and will remain in operation as long as necessary.
This dispatch was produced with financial assistance from the Meta Exchange and The Canadian Press for News.