Cape Breton braces for another rainstorm
It will likely be less serious than the Thanksgiving Day rainstorm that caused massive flooding, but emergency responders are on standby in Cape Breton for another downpour and high winds this weekend.
Cape Breton Regional Mayor Cecil Clarke said this week he's "petrified" by the prospect for more heavy rain.
"We have compromised infrastructure right now and it's the uncertainty and the concern that comes with not knowing any intensity around what the weather system may present," he said.
On the day of last week's flood, more than 200 millimetres of rain fell in 12 hours, overwhelming storm sewers and flooding the basements and even first floors of some homes.
This weekend's forecast calls for as much as 70 millimetres in some parts of Nova Scotia.
Uncertainty
"The water tables are already full," said the mayor. "Power is being already compromised. We've had subsequent small outages because the system is weak in a few places.
"We're being mindful that we need to be at ready, by the hour and moment, to respond with all of the various teams that are working together for public safety and security.
"We know we have water courses that have been changed. We have foundations that have been compromised, and so we are on the ready."
Clarke said the focus of the municipality's preparations is the safety and security of its citizens.
Comfort and protection
"My biggest concern was making sure that we have the stability and the operational capacity to respond when and where needed," he said.
"What everybody here is focussed on is safety first and then we will work on any of the physical impacts that are there but most important is providing that comfort and protection for people."
Providing there is no significant damage from this weekend's rainfall, Clarke and other municipal officials will hold meetings with homeowners whose properties were declared uninhabitable after the Thanksgiving Day flood.
He appears to favour demolishing the damaged homes and declaring the area in central Sydney a no-development zone.
Victims worried
Roberta Lynch of Trinity Avenue in Sydney lost her furnace and hot water heater in the flood.
Workers in Hazmat suits emptied out her home on Friday as she contemplated the prospect of more rain this weekend.
"I can't even go there," she said. "When I came out the other day and it had rained overnight, I just froze.
"I never thought I'd have that reaction to rain, but it was pretty scary for a lot of people. It's a PTSD sort of event where you just find yourself stopping and staring. You can only hope for the best. Keep facing into the wind and hope for the best."
Cynthia MacMullin was forced from her apartment by flooding on Thanksgiving.
"I'm very nervous [about the weekend rain] and I really want to get the rest of my stuff out, just because whatever I have left is all I have left."
