Summary:
- Nova Scotia begins cleanup and repair efforts after enduring heavy floods for days.
- Four people, including two children, are missing after the deluge.
- Nova Scotia witnessed its heaviest rain in 40 years, leading to extensive damage to roads, bridges, and buildings.
- The province has applied for federal disaster assistance funds to cope with the aftermath.
Canada's East Coast province of Nova Scotia commenced cleanup and repair operations on Sunday following days of devastation caused by heavy floods. Four people, including two children, remain missing after the deluge. Rescue efforts have been in full swing, with authorities deploying a helicopter to aid stranded victims in the city of Halifax. The weekend witnessed the heaviest rain in 40 years, triggered by a storm that began on Friday. Up to 600 people are currently under evacuation orders as roads, railways, bridges, and buildings suffered severe damage.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston highlighted the transportation challenges faced by the province, with approximately 25 bridges impacted, 19 of which have been damaged. Among the damaged bridges, six were completely destroyed, illustrating the immense force of the floodwaters. The authorities are working diligently to reopen the roads and assess the extent of the damage. The estimated cost of the destruction is in the tens of millions, potentially soaring to hundreds of millions of Canadian dollars. In response, the province has already applied for federal disaster assistance funds to aid in the recovery efforts.
The aftermath of the floods has left Nova Scotia facing a long and challenging road to recovery. However, the resilience and determination of its people, along with the support from the federal government, offer hope for rebuilding the affected communities and restoring normalcy.