Heavy rain sweeps across N.S., bringing localized flooding
Severe weather warnings echoed across the province Wednesday as Nova Scotians hunkered down amid rain storms and flooding.
Allister Aalders, SaltWire’s weather specialist, reported intense flash flooding in the Annapolis Valley.
“Localized flooding was reported in parts of the Annapolis Valley as some significant bands of intense rain and thunderstorms rolled across that region (Wednesday) morning,” said Aalders.
“This delivered rainfall amounts of 40 to 80-plus millimetres of rain over a relatively short period of time.”
Aalders predicted that the rain was not going to slow down for the Annapolis region and warned residents to stay in their homes.
“Total rainfall amounts have varied . . . due to the convective nature of this weather and given more rain is possible (Wednesday) tonight,” Aalders said.
“However, there have been unofficial reports of 50 to 90-plus millimetres in parts of the Annapolis Valley through 4 p.m.”
Flooding was reported throughout the region by social media users.
One X user, @claybears, alerted people to flooding in downtown Kentville.
Another X user, @bike_rails, shared a video of rain in Greenwich. In the post, the user included that Hennigar’s Farm Market was completely flooded.
From Greenwich NS, late this morning
Hennigar’s Farm Market store was flooded as well as their grounds. Market is now open, but floors are slippery. The park area still under water here. pic.twitter.com/JywqL5vA7h— Mark Davidson (@bike_rails) August 30, 2023
Aalders said that the flooding was because of the high rainfall rates, which make it harder for the ground to absorb the moisture. This, combined with the enhanced rainfall of a large storm, makes flooding all the worse.
“The weather system itself was non-tropical in nature, but an associated cold front has been pulling on tropical moisture, including from hurricane Franklin well to our south, which has helped enhance the rainfall and allowed for embedded downpours and thunderstorms to occur,” said Aalders.
At 12:30 p.m., the Halifax Regional Municipality issued an alert warning people to “limit travel unless necessary and avoid driving through flooded areas.”
Aalders reiterated the municipality’s alert, cautioning people not to drive on any flooded roads.
“It’s important to remember that you should never drive across a flooded roadway, even if it appears safe,” said Aalders.
“The water can be more powerful than it looks, or the road infrastructure could be compromised. Always best to be safe and turn around.”
