Nova Scotia mourning woman who died in province’s severe flooding: premier

Nova Scotia's Premier Tim Houston announced the province is in mourning following the death of a woman who tragically lost her life during the severe flooding that swept through the region over the weekend. RCMP confirmed they had recovered the woman's body on Sunday, finding her vehicle parked near her residence across a flooded bridge. Police indicated the death was not suspicious.

The tragedy unfolded amid multiple states of emergency declared across Cape Breton Island due to the dangerous flooding, with heavy rain intensifying the devastation. Environment Canada had predicted up to 120 millimetres of rain in certain areas, with some regions even experiencing rainfall rates of 10 millimetres per hour. In Inverness, Victoria, and Richmond counties, local emergencies were declared due to the severe flooding and extensive damage.

Roads were closed across the affected areas, and conditions remained perilous. In Richmond County, over 200 millimetres of rain had been reported, with bodies of water like the River Tillard nearing bridges. In Inverness County, a significant hole appeared where concrete had collapsed into the water. Environment Canada has lifted its warnings for Nova Scotia, but cautioned that an additional 10 to 20 millimetres of rain could still occur.

Premier Houston joined Richmond MLA Trevor Boudreau at the command centre in Port Hawkesbury to assess the extensive damage. He stated that crews were evaluating the destruction, although the full impact would only become apparent once the storm subsided and the water levels receded. Houston promised that after the storm, crews and equipment would be deployed from other parts of the province to repair roads and infrastructure as quickly as possible.

He urged people to avoid roads unless absolutely necessary, emphasizing that road conditions could change rapidly, and flooded roads could be damaged or unsafe.