Unprecedented Flooding Ravages Nova Scotia; Four Missing, Including Children

 

photo:www.burnabynow.com

OTTAWA, July 22 (Reuters) - Nova Scotia, a province in Atlantic Canada, experienced the worst rainstorm in over half a century, resulting in "unimaginable" damage due to floods. As of Saturday, four people, including two children, were reported missing in the wake of the calamity.

 

The storm began on Friday, deluging some areas with over 25 cm (10 inches) of rain in just 24 hours - a quantity that typically accumulates over three months. The torrential downpour caused severe floods, washing away roads, weakening bridges, and inundating buildings.

 

"We have a scary, significant situation," said Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, acknowledging that at least seven bridges will need to be replaced or rebuilt. "The property damage to homes... is pretty unimaginable," he stated during a news conference, announcing that the province would seek substantial support from the federal government.

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed deep concern over the floods, pledging that Ottawa "will be there" to support the province.

 

The floods mark the latest in a series of weather-related disasters to hit Canada this year. Wildfires have already consumed a record number of hectares, causing smoke clouds to drift into the United States. Earlier this month, heavy rains led to flooding in several eastern U.S. states.

 

Halifax, the largest city in Nova Scotia, and four other regions declared a state of emergency. Social media images from Halifax displayed abandoned cars almost submerged in floodwaters, while rescue teams used boats to save people.

 

According to Houston, two missing children were last seen in a submerged car, and in another incident, a man and a youth were reported missing after their vehicle entered deep water.

 

At one point, over 80,000 residents were left without electricity.

 

Environment Canada predicts that torrential rain will continue in the eastern part of the province until Sunday.

 

"People should not assume that everything is over. This is a very dynamic situation," warned Halifax Mayor Mike Savage during the press conference, describing the rain as reaching "biblical proportions."

 

Meteorologist Ryan Snoddon from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp highlighted that the rainfall in Halifax was the most intense since a hurricane struck the city in 1971.

 

In a precautionary move, authorities in northern Nova Scotia ordered residents to evacuate due to concerns over a possible breach of a dam near the St. Croix River system. However, the evacuation order was later canceled.

 

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