Premier to survey flood damage

HALIFAX, NS – Premier Darrell Dexter says he will travel to southwest Nova Scotia tomorrow for a first-hand look at the flood damage.

The area has been hit by well over 200 millimetres of rain since the weekend forcing a state of emergency to be extended in parts of Barrington, Argyle and Yarmouth.

Speaking at the legislature last night, Dexter says flooding will remain an immediate concern for the next day or so as the runoff from swollen lakes and rivers crests.

The premier says it will likely take weeks for provincial infrastructure officials to assess the extent of the damage.

He says officials will prioritize the needs of various communities and quickly put in place temporary solutions before looking at longer-term replacements for damaged bridges and dams.

Dexter says it’s likely the damage will surpass that suffered by the remote Cape Breton community of Meat Cove.

Rain and flash flooding in August caused an estimated $7.2-million dollars in damage to roads, bridges, culverts and homes in that village.