Nova Scotia facing heavy rains just two weeks after historic floods

After momentous rains led to devastating floods in many areas of Nova Scotia last month, another big storm is underway.

On Saturday morning, a rainfall warning was in effect for the Halifax Metro and Halifax County west, Halifax County — east of Porters Lake, along with Antigonish County, Colchester County — Truro and South, Guysborough County, and Pictou County, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

“Rainfall rates in excess of 30 mm per hour have been observed, which could lead to flooding especially in low lying areas,” said ECCC in the warning, last updated at 8:40 a.m. Saturday. “There have been reports of total rainfall of 60 to 90 mm this morning. Another band of showers is expected this evening.”

According to CBC Meteorologist Ryan Snoddon, heavy rain in a short period of time has already caused local flooding, including in the Eastern Passage and Dartmouth areas of the Halifax Regional Municipality, where rainfall amounts over 100m are being reported.

Total rainfall amounts as of 10:20 a.m. in localized pockets on the South Shore and in Halifax ranged between 20mm and 120mm.

Snoddon said that unlike the rainfall event two weeks ago, the line of rain is not stationary.

It will continue to move eastward during the day and arrive in Cape Breton Saturday evening.

Though the heavy rain threat will move east, Snoddon said there will still be a risk of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and into the evening for people in western and central Nova Scotia.

According to Halifax Regional Police, there are reports of flooding on Wyse Road and Faulkland Street in Dartmouth.

Police are asking residents to avoid this area, and to use caution on the roads and expect delays.

Earlier Saturday, nearly 10,000 people were without power, but that number has since gone down to just over 1,100, according to Nova Scotia Power’s outage map.

Sunday and Monday are expected to be much brighter days, with just a risk of scattered showers and thunderstorms in the east, said Snoddon.