Nova Scotia Floods: Worst Rain in 50 Years Sparks Chaos and Missing People
Nova Scotia is under siege after the heaviest rain in over half a century drenched the province, triggering severe floods that officials say caused “unimaginable” damage. Four people, including two children, remain missing amid the watery wreckage.
Deluge Overwhelms Province: 10 Inches of Rain in a Day
The storm hit hard on Friday, dropping an astonishing 25cm (10 inches) of rain in just 24 hours—equal to three months’ worth of precipitation. Floodwaters smashed roads, bridges, and buildings, erasing vital infrastructure and leaving communities stranded and vulnerable.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston called the crisis a “scary, significant situation,” revealing that at least seven bridges need to be rebuilt or replaced. He said the scale of property damage is overwhelming, with the province urgently seeking federal aid to push recovery efforts forward.
State of Emergency Declared as Rescue Efforts Ramp Up
The floods hit Halifax—the province’s biggest city—and four other regions hard, forcing officials to declare a state of emergency. Local authorities warned residents to stay indoors and avoid car travel. Social media showed abandoned vehicles nearly submerged, while rescue teams used boats to reach stranded locals.
“We will be there”, pledged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, promising full federal support to Nova Scotia during this dire crisis.
Tragically, two children disappeared after their car was swallowed by floodwaters, and another pair—a man and a youth—vanished after driving into deep water.
Power Outages and More Rain Threaten Recovery
Over 80,000 people faced power cuts at the height of the storm. Environment Canada warns that torrential rain will continue into Sunday, risking further destruction.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage stressed, “The situation remains fluid. Don’t assume the worst is over.” Weather experts compare the downpour to a 1971 hurricane, calling it rain of “biblical proportions.”
Earlier, fears of a dam breach near the St. Croix River forced evacuation orders in northern Nova Scotia—though these were later lifted.
Nova Scotia is battling its worst natural disaster in decades, with lives, homes, and infrastructure at stake as the floods rage on.
