Record flooding in Nova Scotia leads to four missing people, state of emergency
Significant flash flooding swept through communities near Halifax, N.S., on Friday evening after relentless tropical downpours dropped 150-200+ mm of rain on the area in just a few hours.
Rushing floodwaters inundated roads throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), effectively cutting off access to some communities.
GET THE FORECAST: Maritimes face severe storm risk Saturday as floods hit Nova Scotia
"All residents asked to stay off roads and highways unless it's an emergency," provincial officials said in an emergency alert sent out on Friday night. Officials continued urging residents to stay home as the region deals with persistent flooding.
This is now the only way people can get in and out of Ellershouse @RachelSchoutsen @weathernetwork #nswx pic.twitter.com/5gAza6RFm3
This is now the only way people can get in and out of Ellershouse Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "This is now the only way people can get in and out of Ellershouse @RachelSchoutsen @weathernetwork #nswx pic.twitter.com/5gAza6RFm3 / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "This is now the only way people can get in and out of Ellershouse @RachelSchoutsen @weathernetwork #nswx pic.twitter.com/5gAza6RFm3 / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "This is now the only way people can get in and out of Ellershouse @RachelSchoutsen @weathernetwork #nswx pic.twitter.com/5gAza6RFm3 / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "This is now the only way people can get in and out of Ellershouse @RachelSchoutsen @weathernetwork #nswx pic.twitter.com/5gAza6RFm3 / Twitter"
— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN) Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "This is now the only way people can get in and out of Ellershouse @RachelSchoutsen @weathernetwork #nswx pic.twitter.com/5gAza6RFm3 / Twitter"
Four people reported missing, provincewide state of emergency issued
Search and rescue crews continued to look for four people reported missing after two vehicles were submerged by floodwaters on Friday night.
Three of five people were able to exit one vehicle, leaving two children missing, while two of the four individuals were able to flee the other vehicle, leaving a man and youth missing.
Lower Sackville, N.S., flooding. (Colleen/Submitted)
On Sunday morning, Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson Cindy Bayers told CBC News that finding them is top of mind and that extra resources have been added to support these efforts.
Meanwhile, a provincewide state of emergency was issued late Saturday, with officials deeming West Hants, East Hants, the Halifax Regional Municipality, Lunenburg County and Queens County as among the hardest-hit areas, CBC News reported.
A state of emergency frees up funds and resources to allow officials to respond to the flooding and its aftermath.
THE LATEST: Four reported missing after historic Nova Scotia deluge
Halifax officials also reminded residents to stay away from floodwaters, as the water likely contains hazardous materials like gasoline and raw sewage.
Many roads remain impassable or are closed. A map of roads blocked due to flooding in the Halifax region can be found here.
An evacuation order remains for the Fancy Lake area in Lunenburg County, but it has been rescinded for people living near St. Croix River system.
Historic rainfall totals
Widespread rainfall totals of 100-200+ mm fell across the Halifax area, with the heaviest rains hitting communities west and north of Halifax proper.
Some of the heaviest rain fell over areas devastated by wildfires in late May and early June, which likely exacerbated the extent of the flooding in the affected areas.
On Saturday, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a summary with preliminary rainfall totals on Saturday. Several communities recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall in a short time.
These are unprecedented rainfall totals for the region, more akin to a heavy rainfall event you’d see somewhere like Florida instead of the Canadian Maritimes. For some perspective, Halifax typically averages about 95 mm of rain during the entire month of July.
Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x
Thought I’d share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter" from Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter". Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter" Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter" Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter" Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter" Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter" Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter"
— Steve (@HFXDronePilot) Steve on Twitter: "Thought I'd share this pic I came across. Railroad track just before you enter #Truro from #Halifax. #NSStorm @CNRailway @BruceFriskoCTV @battisctv @Tim_Bousquet pic.twitter.com/pn0oOolE1x / Twitter"
A sizable plume of tropical moisture streaming into the region from the south fuelled the heavy rainfall. Persistent thunderstorms tapped into this moisture like a reservoir, efficiently wringing out copious amounts of water over the region.
If you’re in the region, it’s safest to stay home until the rain stops and floodwaters have a chance to recede. Never attempt to drive across a flooded roadway. It’s impossible to tell how deep the water is until it’s too late, and the road may be washed out beneath the floodwaters. Only a small amount of moving water can strand a vehicle and even carry it downstream.
Residents across the area posted photos and videos of the flooding on social media. Check out some of the visuals from the area, below.
This is just over the hill from where I live, ducks are enjoying it, sadly #HammondsPlains #NovaScotia Video in Steve's tweet below. #NSSTORM https://t.co/mBEgeH7BkJ pic.twitter.com/4d3SFkUuHS
This is just over the hill from where I live, ducks are enjoying it, sadly Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🍁🇨🇦🦞 on Twitter: "This is just over the hill from where I live, ducks are enjoying it, sadly #HammondsPlains #NovaScotia Video in Steve's tweet below. #NSSTORM https://t.co/mBEgeH7BkJ pic.twitter.com/4d3SFkUuHS / Twitter" Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🍁🇨🇦🦞 on Twitter: "This is just over the hill from where I live, ducks are enjoying it, sadly #HammondsPlains #NovaScotia Video in Steve's tweet below. #NSSTORM https://t.co/mBEgeH7BkJ pic.twitter.com/4d3SFkUuHS / Twitter" Video in Steve’s tweet below. Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🍁🇨🇦🦞 on Twitter: "This is just over the hill from where I live, ducks are enjoying it, sadly #HammondsPlains #NovaScotia Video in Steve's tweet below. #NSSTORM https://t.co/mBEgeH7BkJ pic.twitter.com/4d3SFkUuHS / Twitter" Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🍁🇨🇦🦞 on Twitter: "This is just over the hill from where I live, ducks are enjoying it, sadly #HammondsPlains #NovaScotia Video in Steve's tweet below. #NSSTORM https://t.co/mBEgeH7BkJ pic.twitter.com/4d3SFkUuHS / Twitter" Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🍁🇨🇦🦞 on Twitter: "This is just over the hill from where I live, ducks are enjoying it, sadly #HammondsPlains #NovaScotia Video in Steve's tweet below. #NSSTORM https://t.co/mBEgeH7BkJ pic.twitter.com/4d3SFkUuHS / Twitter"
— Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🍁🇨🇦🦞 (@mini_bubbly) Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🍁🇨🇦🦞 on Twitter: "This is just over the hill from where I live, ducks are enjoying it, sadly #HammondsPlains #NovaScotia Video in Steve's tweet below. #NSSTORM https://t.co/mBEgeH7BkJ pic.twitter.com/4d3SFkUuHS / Twitter"
People are saying this is New Ross Road #nsstorm pic.twitter.com/yr4FlXPrVR
People are saying this is New Ross Road Allegedly A Show on Twitter: "People are saying this is New Ross Road #nsstorm pic.twitter.com/yr4FlXPrVR / Twitter" Allegedly A Show on Twitter: "People are saying this is New Ross Road #nsstorm pic.twitter.com/yr4FlXPrVR / Twitter"
— Allegedly A Show (@allegedlyashow) Allegedly A Show on Twitter: "People are saying this is New Ross Road #nsstorm pic.twitter.com/yr4FlXPrVR / Twitter"
Lower Sackville pic.twitter.com/D61CJDHlaU
Lower Sackville Melanie 🌻 on Twitter: "Lower Sackville pic.twitter.com/D61CJDHlaU / Twitter"
— Melanie 🌻 (@Mellyfax) Melanie 🌻 on Twitter: "Lower Sackville pic.twitter.com/D61CJDHlaU / Twitter"
Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Significant flooding. #nswx #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/VQFdQ1UKGI
Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Significant flooding. Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Significant flooding. #nswx #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/VQFdQ1UKGI / Twitter" Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Significant flooding. #nswx #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/VQFdQ1UKGI / Twitter" Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Significant flooding. #nswx #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/VQFdQ1UKGI / Twitter"
— Cape Breton Mesonet (@CBmesonet) Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Significant flooding. #nswx #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/VQFdQ1UKGI / Twitter"
Not via the 333. You'll come across this pic.twitter.com/W4COPMVzrS
Not via the 333. You'll come across this Laura O'Hearn on Twitter: "Not via the 333. You'll come across this pic.twitter.com/W4COPMVzrS / Twitter"
— Laura O'Hearn (@mizzo222) Laura O'Hearn on Twitter: "Not via the 333. You'll come across this pic.twitter.com/W4COPMVzrS / Twitter"
Check out my new Twitter feature. It's called "Umbrella CAM" #UmbrellaCam pic.twitter.com/zxTUwAm3mp
Check out my new Twitter feature. It’s called “Umbrella CAM” Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Check out my new Twitter feature. It's called "Umbrella CAM" #UmbrellaCam pic.twitter.com/zxTUwAm3mp / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Check out my new Twitter feature. It's called "Umbrella CAM" #UmbrellaCam pic.twitter.com/zxTUwAm3mp / Twitter"
— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN) Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Check out my new Twitter feature. It's called "Umbrella CAM" #UmbrellaCam pic.twitter.com/zxTUwAm3mp / Twitter"
Major flooding on Larry Utek #nsstorm #flashflood pic.twitter.com/8ZvZTylhOg
Major flooding on Larry Utek Kacy Cleveland on Twitter: "Major flooding on Larry Utek #nsstorm #flashflood pic.twitter.com/8ZvZTylhOg / Twitter" Kacy Cleveland on Twitter: "Major flooding on Larry Utek #nsstorm #flashflood pic.twitter.com/8ZvZTylhOg / Twitter" Kacy Cleveland on Twitter: "Major flooding on Larry Utek #nsstorm #flashflood pic.twitter.com/8ZvZTylhOg / Twitter"
— Kacy Cleveland (@canada02_wx) Kacy Cleveland on Twitter: "Major flooding on Larry Utek #nsstorm #flashflood pic.twitter.com/8ZvZTylhOg / Twitter"
The reason we say "clear your storm drains" #nswx pic.twitter.com/TfyIHocGsk
The reason we say “clear your storm drains” Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "The reason we say "clear your storm drains" #nswx pic.twitter.com/TfyIHocGsk / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "The reason we say "clear your storm drains" #nswx pic.twitter.com/TfyIHocGsk / Twitter"
— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN) Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "The reason we say "clear your storm drains" #nswx pic.twitter.com/TfyIHocGsk / Twitter"
Insane scenes in Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Cobequid Road washing away. #nswx #NSStorm #flooding pic.twitter.com/XLc2umb0mN
Insane scenes in Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Cobequid Road washing away. Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Insane scenes in Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Cobequid Road washing away. #nswx #NSStorm #flooding pic.twitter.com/XLc2umb0mN / Twitter" Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Insane scenes in Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Cobequid Road washing away. #nswx #NSStorm #flooding pic.twitter.com/XLc2umb0mN / Twitter" Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Insane scenes in Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Cobequid Road washing away. #nswx #NSStorm #flooding pic.twitter.com/XLc2umb0mN / Twitter" Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Insane scenes in Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Cobequid Road washing away. #nswx #NSStorm #flooding pic.twitter.com/XLc2umb0mN / Twitter"
— Cape Breton Mesonet (@CBmesonet) Cape Breton Mesonet on Twitter: "Insane scenes in Sackville, Nova Scotia right now. Cobequid Road washing away. #nswx #NSStorm #flooding pic.twitter.com/XLc2umb0mN / Twitter"
WATCH: Pouring rain drenches Halifax as storms tap into stifling humidity
Thanks nature for the new waterfall #nsstorm #tantallon #halifaxweather #halifaxtraffic pic.twitter.com/VcC22BD0sm
Thanks nature for the new waterfall DBKerr on Twitter: "Thanks nature for the new waterfall #nsstorm #tantallon #halifaxweather #halifaxtraffic pic.twitter.com/VcC22BD0sm / Twitter" DBKerr on Twitter: "Thanks nature for the new waterfall #nsstorm #tantallon #halifaxweather #halifaxtraffic pic.twitter.com/VcC22BD0sm / Twitter" DBKerr on Twitter: "Thanks nature for the new waterfall #nsstorm #tantallon #halifaxweather #halifaxtraffic pic.twitter.com/VcC22BD0sm / Twitter" DBKerr on Twitter: "Thanks nature for the new waterfall #nsstorm #tantallon #halifaxweather #halifaxtraffic pic.twitter.com/VcC22BD0sm / Twitter" DBKerr on Twitter: "Thanks nature for the new waterfall #nsstorm #tantallon #halifaxweather #halifaxtraffic pic.twitter.com/VcC22BD0sm / Twitter"
— DBKerr (@KerrDanielle78) DBKerr on Twitter: "Thanks nature for the new waterfall #nsstorm #tantallon #halifaxweather #halifaxtraffic pic.twitter.com/VcC22BD0sm / Twitter"
The Sackville river is in my yard ....#nsstorm pic.twitter.com/FzIqHva9xm
The Sackville river is in my yard ….Haruka - ★⁵ on Twitter: "The Sackville river is in my yard ....#nsstorm pic.twitter.com/FzIqHva9xm / Twitter" Haruka - ★⁵ on Twitter: "The Sackville river is in my yard ....#nsstorm pic.twitter.com/FzIqHva9xm / Twitter"
— Haruka - ★⁵ (@canadian_haruka) Haruka - ★⁵ on Twitter: "The Sackville river is in my yard ....#nsstorm pic.twitter.com/FzIqHva9xm / Twitter"
Lower Water street taking its name literally 😬😬 but seriously, avoid the casino/purdy's wharf if you can, it's a mess! #nsstorm #hfxtraffic pic.twitter.com/7DhjUdqMD0
Lower Water street taking its name literally 😬😬 but seriously, avoid the casino/purdy’s wharf if you can, it’s a mess! Alicia Draus on Twitter: "Lower Water street taking its name literally 😬😬 but seriously, avoid the casino/purdy's wharf if you can, it's a mess! #nsstorm #hfxtraffic pic.twitter.com/7DhjUdqMD0 / Twitter" Alicia Draus on Twitter: "Lower Water street taking its name literally 😬😬 but seriously, avoid the casino/purdy's wharf if you can, it's a mess! #nsstorm #hfxtraffic pic.twitter.com/7DhjUdqMD0 / Twitter" Alicia Draus on Twitter: "Lower Water street taking its name literally 😬😬 but seriously, avoid the casino/purdy's wharf if you can, it's a mess! #nsstorm #hfxtraffic pic.twitter.com/7DhjUdqMD0 / Twitter"
— Alicia Draus (@Alicia_Draus) Alicia Draus on Twitter: "Lower Water street taking its name literally 😬😬 but seriously, avoid the casino/purdy's wharf if you can, it's a mess! #nsstorm #hfxtraffic pic.twitter.com/7DhjUdqMD0 / Twitter"
Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. #nsstorm @SackvilleBiz @hfxgov @HalifaxReTales @hfxfire pic.twitter.com/h3hjysjZwy
Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. jacktabor 🇺🇦 🌈 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. #nsstorm @SackvilleBiz @hfxgov @HalifaxReTales @hfxfire pic.twitter.com/h3hjysjZwy / Twitter" jacktabor 🇺🇦 🌈 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. #nsstorm @SackvilleBiz @hfxgov @HalifaxReTales @hfxfire pic.twitter.com/h3hjysjZwy / Twitter" jacktabor 🇺🇦 🌈 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. #nsstorm @SackvilleBiz @hfxgov @HalifaxReTales @hfxfire pic.twitter.com/h3hjysjZwy / Twitter" jacktabor 🇺🇦 🌈 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. #nsstorm @SackvilleBiz @hfxgov @HalifaxReTales @hfxfire pic.twitter.com/h3hjysjZwy / Twitter" jacktabor 🇺🇦 🌈 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. #nsstorm @SackvilleBiz @hfxgov @HalifaxReTales @hfxfire pic.twitter.com/h3hjysjZwy / Twitter" jacktabor 🇺🇦 🌈 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. #nsstorm @SackvilleBiz @hfxgov @HalifaxReTales @hfxfire pic.twitter.com/h3hjysjZwy / Twitter"
— jacktabor 🇺🇦 🌈 🇨🇦 (@Jacktabor81) jacktabor 🇺🇦 🌈 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Dock damage from heavy Sackville River flow into Bedford basin. #nsstorm @SackvilleBiz @hfxgov @HalifaxReTales @hfxfire pic.twitter.com/h3hjysjZwy / Twitter"
nsstorm backyard floods (I rent) pic.twitter.com/vGOHbmhxHz
stillinhalifax on Twitter: "#nsstorm backyard floods (I rent) pic.twitter.com/vGOHbmhxHz / Twitter" backyard floods (I rent) stillinhalifax on Twitter: "#nsstorm backyard floods (I rent) pic.twitter.com/vGOHbmhxHz / Twitter"
— stillinhalifax (@waterwolfe) stillinhalifax on Twitter: "#nsstorm backyard floods (I rent) pic.twitter.com/vGOHbmhxHz / Twitter"
Flooding downtown at the Cogswell exchange. Photo submitted pic.twitter.com/JBPbQiQyl5
Flooding downtown at the Cogswell exchange. Photo submitted Halifax Fire News on Twitter: "Flooding downtown at the Cogswell exchange. Photo submitted pic.twitter.com/JBPbQiQyl5 / Twitter"
— Halifax Fire News (@HRMFireNews) Halifax Fire News on Twitter: "Flooding downtown at the Cogswell exchange. Photo submitted pic.twitter.com/JBPbQiQyl5 / Twitter"
WATCH: How flash flooding occurs in urban areas
Thumbnail courtesy of Glenn Banfield, taken in Elmsdale, N.S.
With files from CBC News, and Dennis Mersereau and Nathan Howes, digital journalists at The Weather Network.