With rain on the way for the Maritimes, many residents in the region are bracing for flood damage, fuelled by this year’s extraordinary winter.
CTV Atlantic meteorologist said parts of Nova Scotia — including the South Shore and Eastern Shore — could 30-40 millimetres of heavy rain beginning overnight Thursday.
That could be followed by snow for some parts of the province as the weather system stalls offshore, Day said.
The massive snow accumulation in Nova Scotia and other parts of the Maritimes, along with spring-like weather in recent days couldbe a damaging combination.
Part of the problem is that, with the ground still frozenin many areas, there are few places for the water to go.
“Twenty to 40 millimetres of rain — that could cause us some grief,” said Pierre Côté, who manages a restoration business.
He said even homes not prone to flooding could be at risk under current conditions.
“Water is being diverted to different areas or in different ways than it would in normal conditions,” he said.
The low-lying rural areas along Nova Scotia’s South Shore could see some water damage, and there are flooding concerns in Halifax, where city streets are still covered in snow and ice.
Halifax resident Steve Bates spent part of Thursday shovelling snow away from the sides of his son’s house for just that reason.
“He has had a few leaks in there and I think it is going to get worse if we leave it like this,” Bates said.
Officials say Halifax Water crews have identified and cleared catch basins in 200 areas of the city that have flooded in the past.
“We have also coordinated with our clearing crews to make sure those spots that were opened up were not filled back in again by snow removal equipment in subsequent days,” said municipal spokesperson Jennifer Stairs.
Rain could also damage buildings by adding more weight to ice dammed, snow-laden roofs.
Many buildings in Halifax have had concerns, collapses or leaks due to snow accumulation on their roofs.
In Moncton, Magnetic Hill Zoo remains closed because of high snowbanks topping the fences around animal pens.
The zoo has delayed its season opening and has cancelled two popular fundraisers because of the snow, because it’s not safe for visitors — especially kids who like to climb snowbanks.
While the zoo is anxious for the snow to go, others in New Brunswick fear what will happen when it does.
The province’s Emergency Measures Organization issued its first River Watch alert for the season this week.
“We could see maybe a little bit of movement in some of the smaller tributaries and water courses,” said the organization spokesperson Paul Bradley.
In Moncton, flood fears are mounting as officials are busing removing snow from city streets, paying particular attention to flood-prone areas like the traffic circle on West Main Street.
“What we're asking residents to do now is to help the city by perhaps clearing some of the storm drains that are either on their property or near their property,” said city spokesperson Isabelle LeBlanc.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl and Jonathan MacInnis
