Concern grows in Cape Breton as region braces for more potential rain
In an area already hit by record rainfalls last week, it appears more is on the way.
Communities along the Cabot Trail are just starting to pick up the pieces from the damage done by flooding and road washouts. The hope is another downpour forecast for Monday won't cause any more destruction, or undo temporary repairs that have already been made.
"I am sensing a lot of concern about the rain coming tomorrow”, said Ingonish-area councillor Larry Dauphinee. "Some reports are saying up as high as 70 mm, which usually wouldn't be anything to be concerned about.”
Dauphinee says his biggest concern is shoulder washouts along the highway.
"The shoulders down there are like three to four feet deep – trenches”, he said. “More rain coming, where's it going to go? So my concern is that it's going to undermine the pavement there."
After touring the hardest hit areas by helicopter on Saturday, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is promising recovery support from all three levels of government.
"The damage was clear. The physical damage to homes and to roads”, Houston said. "[What’s next is] making sure that we're there to help them get things rebuilt. Give them some comfort that the province will be there, the municipality, the federal government - all three - to support them financially."
With how much widespread damage has been done, some are wondering if that will be enough.
"The concern is definitely there”, Dauphinee said. “We're hearing stories there may be some financial assistance, especially for basements that have been flooded and some of the homes that have been damaged. But again, it's the time frame. There's no definite answer."
In the meantime, community members have been helping one another in the air and on the ground. An EMO-led helicopter was back in some stranded areas Sunday with more supplies, and they weren’t the only ones lending a hand.
"Breton Air and Destination Cape Smokey helping out with helicopters”, said Dauphinee. “[Local fishermen] with their boat, taking teachers down by boat this morning to Neil's Harbour."
Dauphinee said with a long recovery from the storm just beginning, residents are simply hoping for the best from Monday’s weather.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.