HALIFAX – A large, slow-moving rainstorm plodded through Atlantic Canada on Wednesday, knocking out power and cancelling ferry services as people braced for possible coastal flooding.
High winds and heavy rains lashed the region. Close to 100 millimetres of rain was dumped on parts of southwestern Nova Scotia within a 12-hour period, said Environment Canada meteorologist Mel Lemmon.
“It’s actually a very slow-moving system and that’s part of the reason why the storm surge is going to be an issue,” said Lemmon.
“There’s going to be lots of time for the wind to generate waves and build up.”
Strong winds with gusts of between 80 to 100 kilometres an hour were expected to bring storm surges to coastal areas, including along the Northumberland Strait between Nova Scotia and P.E.I.
Lemmon said the weather service recorded 98 millimetres of rain at Western Head in Queens County.
Marine Atlantic postponed ferry crossings between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland until Thursday. Company spokeswoman Tara Laing said customers with reservations would be contacted so they could reschedule.
Ferry service was also cancelled between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia and the Confederation Bridge between P.E.I. and New Brunswick restricted crossings by motorcycles, trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.
Three cruise ships carrying some 6,000 passengers that were expected to dock in Saint John, N.B., were diverted to other areas because of the stormy weather.
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Power crews worked to restore power for thousands of customers who lost electricity in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Environment Canada said the heavy rain and strong winds were expected to move deeper into Newfoundland and Labrador on Thursday.
Residents living in the central and western areas of the island were expecting a soaking of up to 90 millimetres of rain. Forecasters warned the rain could change to snow in some western areas, with significant amounts anticipated.
Several roads were closed in parts of Nova Scotia because of flooding. Drivers were told to watch out for downed power lines, fallen trees and washouts.
Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management Office encouraged residents in northern coastal areas to protect their property and themselves.
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