After devastating floods hit some regions in Cape Breton, the state of local emergency has been lifted in Richmond County.
The alert was lifted just one day after it was rescinded in Inverness and Richmond Counties.
It was September 4 and 5 when more than 200 mm of rain fell in parts of Cape Breton including Inverness and Richmond Counties as well as Port Hawkesbury.
The storm caused a lot of damage to infrastructure and the death of a 46-year-old woman.
In a post on social media late Wednesday afternoon, the municipality says while travel is not allowed, some roads will remain closed in impacted areas.
Signs will be posted and residents are encouraged to call the municipal support line at 902-625-7888 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For those with curbside collection Tuesday and Wednesday there will be double collection next week. Thursday’s collection will proceed as normal with Friday’s, to be determined.
A local state of emergency has been lifted for Inverness and Victoria Counties after torrential downpours over the weekend.
“The SOLE was put in place not only to support public safety, but also to enable emergency responders and public works teams the ability to travel swiftly to impacted areas, assess conditions, and support residents,” says the Municipality of the County of Inverness.
But after consultations, they feel it’s safe to lift it.
However, in a statement Tuesday afternoon, the muicipality says the alert does remain in place for Richmond County.
Schools will remain closed, Wednesday, as a result are:
Felix Marchand Education Centre
East Richmond Education Centre
Richmond Education Centre/Academy
More than 200 mm fell in the hardest hit areas September 4 and 5 and a 46-year-old woman died, prompting a state of emergency in areas that were hit hard.
Boil water advisory
Inverness County has issued a boil water advisory, Tuesday evening, for those under the Inverness Water System after a water main break.
You are asked to conserve water and boil it before consumption.
The state of emergency will remain in effect for Richmond County for another 24 hours.
That is according to an alert sent around 5:30.
It says school buses will not be operating.
Roadside garbage collection scheduled for Tuesday will not happen.
While crews have made major progress restoring roads after the floods over the weekend, “additional inspections and assessments are required before these restrictions can be safely lifted,” the alert says.
Severe flooding and widespread damage have prompted a local state of emergency, evacuations and road closures.
About 50 roads are currently closed across parts of Richmond County, Inverness and Victoria Counties, according to the latest statement from the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
They say staff are now transitioning to repairs where they can, including driveways and washed-out road shoulders.
Officials are also “monitoring conditions and maintaining operations on backup power at Landrie Lake and the Water Treatment Plant.”
The Emergency Manage Department is advising everyone to stay off the roads unless travel is essential for health, safety or emergency purposes.
A post on social media says, “Do not drive through flood waters or around barricades.”
Residents should continue to monitor social media, 511 for road closures, and official government sources for updates.
More rain coming
The flooding could still get worse, according to Environment Canada operational Meteorologist Samantha Roach.
Their preliminary totals from the official monitoring station in Port Hawkesbury show 118mm has already fallen as of Saturday afternoon.
Other unofficial measuring sources, like data collected in some people’s backyards and sent to Environment Canada, show even more than that in other parts of Cape Breton: 219mm at St. George’s Channel; 178.6mm in Boisdale Hills; 230.1mm in Sampsonville.
More rain will continue into Sunday morning, but then it will taper off, and there should just be some showers after that, says Roach.
Overall, another 40 to 60mm could fall in that time. That is why there are still orange level weather warnings in place, says Roach.
“The possibility exists that there could be some more flooding with the leftover rainfall,” says Roach.
She says we have had quite a bit of rain in the last few weeks, and the ground is already saturated from the rain overnight Friday, which means the ground cannot easily absorb what is left to come.
“Stay inside and delay any travel, if you can. Obviously, if there’s any water on the roads, please do not try to drive through it, and just stay safe.”
Premier Tim Houston visits Command Centre
A command centre was set up at 10:30 in the morning at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, with the Regional Emergency Management Organization involved, alongside provincial and municipal staff, Nova Scotia Power, and EHS. Additional EHS units have also been deployed to the area.
The Premier spent time with Richmond MLA Trevor Boudreau and other officials on Saturday at the centre, discussing the extensive damage across Cape Breton.
Crews are continuing to assess damage, but the full extent won’t be known until floodwaters recede and the rain stops falling.
“We stand ready to deploy the Nova Scotia Guard when it is determined how they can best help. Thank you to members who have already reached out ready to assist. Once this storm has passed, we will pull crews and equipment where needed from other areas of the province to repair roads and infrastructure as fast as we can,” Houston stated in a social media post.
He added that he remains in regular contact with officials across Cape Breton, the Minister of Emergency Management, and the Minister of Public Works.
Supports available
A comfort centre has been established, as well. You can visit St. George’s Channel Hall, the Riverdale Community Centre in Lower River Inhabitants.
D’Escousse Civic Improvement Hall has also been added as a comfort centre.
There you can charge devices, stay warm, and find support as the county works through this emergency.
Starting Sunday morning at 8 a.m., there will be a support line available for residents to have a central point of contact where they can report non-emergency issues and concerns related to the situation. It will close at 8 p.m., according to a joint statement for Western Cape Breton.
Anyone in the Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties, or the Town of Port Hawkesbury, can use the line. If no one picks up, leave a voicemail and a municipal representative will call back.
Emergencies should still be reported with 911.
More hours of operation will be announced when confirmed, the town says.
In the photo on the left, rain water has flooded Highway 104 near mile marker 296 between Lower River and Louisdale. The photo on the right shows another part of Highway 104 in Louisdale. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Road Closures
Emergency Management says in a social media post that conditions can change quickly. Your best bet is to stay off the roads, but if you have to travel, call 511 and check on the road conditions.
Never drive through flood-covered roads and turn around if you run into any dangerous spots or washouts.
In a social media post, MLA Greg Morrow says crews will attempt to get traffic moving again on Highway 344 in Steep Creek on Sunday morning by installing a new culvert. After that, he says they will try and move to Sand Point and Carr Road to repair that area.
Prince Street in Port Hawkesbury, between MacSween and Embree, is closed to let Nova Scotia Power crews remove a tree. And Sydeny Road in the town is also closed between Granville Street and Bernard because of asphalt damage.
Part of Highway 104 from Basin Road to Sporting MTN, between exit 45 and 47, is closed as well. That is a large part of the highway made inaccessible because of flooding.
Other washouts, according to MLA Trevor Boudreau, include:
Flooding on HWY-104 from HWY-320 (km 303) to HWY-4 (km 313). All lanes closed.
Richmond Co: Highway 104 at Exit 46 to Thibeauville (DM 303-313) is closed to all traffic due to flooding until further notice. Please avoid area.
Richmond County: Please be advised that Matthews Rd is closed due to a washout.
Richmond County: Please be advised that Morrison Rd and Oban Rd in Oban are closed due to flooding and washouts in the area.
Flooding on HWY-4 Both Directions Near Northside River Bourgeois Rd (km 319). All lanes closed.
Closure on Big Brook Rd Both Directions Near Murray Rd. All lanes closed.
Road Closure on Orangedale Rd Both Directions Near Ferguson Point Rd (km 44). All lanes closed.
Road Closure on Orangedale Rd Both Directions Near Cameron Rd. All lanes closed.
Englishtown, Service Suspended (weather).
Little Narrows, Service Suspended (weather).
Road Closure on W Bay Rd Both Directions Near Hedgerow Ln. All lanes closed.
Road Closure on HWY-223 Both Directions from Bras D’Or Lake (km 58) to Grand Narrows Dr. All lanes closed.
Power outages
Over 5,000 residents in Port Hawkesbury and surrounding areas had lost power at the peak of the power outages on Saturday morning.
As of about 7 p.m., many of those outages have been restored. But some scattered outages are still being reported in the Quad counties.
Some Richmond County residents left isolated due to flooding and washouts
Residents in parts of Richmond County remain cut off by multiple road washouts following heavy rainfall, with some unable to travel in either direction from their homes.
Wendy Abbott says she and her neighbours cannot leave the area by vehicle because roads on both sides of them have been washed out.
“We can get out of the yard, but we can’t drive down the road,” Abbott told our newsroom.
She says three washouts were found in the area, including one on the St. Peter’s side of the community, and another reported near the Luxury Domes property.
Abbott, who manages the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn in St. Peter’s, says the situation is very frustrating.
“Today, we have a wedding at work, so I’m a little on the stressed side,” she said. “I have full confidence in the staff that I have there that are going to carry it out, but I would have liked to be there.”
Some employees were able to reach the inn by taking lengthy detours through River Bourgeois, where Abbott says there have also been reports of washouts and damaged roadways.
Despite the transportation challenges, Abbott says luckily her home still has power, and they have access to a generator if needed.
For now, she says her family has enough groceries and supplies to get by.
“We’re lucky. We have lots of groceries and the staples, milk and bread,” Abbott said.
She added that many neighbours appear to be in a similar position as they wait for crews to repair the damaged roads and restore access to the area.
Flooding NS (September 2026) IMAGE: Wendy Owens-Abbott with permissionFlooding NS (September 2026) IMAGE: Wendy Owens-Abbott with permissionFlooding NS (September 2026) IMAGE: Wendy Owens-Abbott with permission
The deputy warden of Richmond County has just thrown her hat in the ring to become the next leader of the provincial Liberals.
Amanda Mombourquette made the announcement on Monday afternoon in a statement on social media.
She says the decision comes after many “encouraging conversations” with Liberal members and supporters across Nova Scotia.
“While today is a time for celebration of what is possible for our party and province, we must not lose sight of the hard work that lies ahead,” says Mombourquette.
She adds, rebuilding the Liberal party must be done with a “grassroots approach”, with a leader who “listens” and “reflects” on what membership needs and “take action”.
The Liberals currently hold three seats. Interim Leader and MLA for Timberlea-Prospect Iain Rankin, MLA for Syndey-Membertou Derek Mombourquette and the most recent addition of MLA for Lunenburg West, Becky Druhan.
Druhan is the former education and justice minister under Premier Tim Houston’s PC’s before she briefly became an Independent MLA.
Mombourquette says Nova Scotia deserves a government that puts people first.
If you live in Richmond County, you might be glad to hear your property taxes are not going up this year.
The Municipality of the County of Richmond has voted to pass its budget for the 2026-27 year, and it keeps the residential and commercial tax rates the same, according to a news release.
That marks four years in a row the county has not seen an increase.
“Council recognizes that affordability remains a concern for many households,” wrote Warden Lois Landry in the release.
“This budget balances that reality with the need to maintain services, support community organizations, invest in critical infrastructure, and plan for the future of Richmond County.”
The budget is balanced and sits at $19,020,485. It includes more support for low-income households, as well, by expanding their Low-Income Property Tax Exemption Program.
Other key takeaways include strategic spending in the community that improves the quality of life in Richmond County.
They have increased funding for community grants, Canada Day celebrations, trails, and enhancements to the waterfront, and the budget also included a focus on “public transit, healthcare organizations, food security initiatives, seniors’ programs, tourism development, youth services, and AT HOME, the Strait Area’s new not-for-profit housing association,” the municipality says.
Other key takeaways include:
infrastructure investments, like the $5 million Richmond Arena retrofit project
$20,000 to install dry hydrants across the county to help rural and volunteer fire departments
more than $6 million allocated for provincially mandated payments, which includes education, police, and property assessments
Landry says the budget shows council is committed to responsible financial management.
“By maintaining tax rates and focusing our investments strategically, we are helping ensure Richmond County remains a strong, vibrant, and affordable place to live,” says Landry.
In just a few months, there could be a water rate hike for industrial users of the Landrie Lake Water Utility in Richmond County and according to the Director of Finance for Port Hawkesbury, customers are understanding.
A public hearing was held last week to discuss the application submitted to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board.
In an interview with our newsroom, Brian Luciano says the meeting was positive and the business owners who would be affected have likely anticipated something like this.
“A lot of those industrial users have seen their own costs increase over the last number of years,” says Luciano. “So, this just falls in line with that. We’ve seen power rates go up, inputs go up, labor rates go up.”
Why the increase?
The Landrie Lake Water Utility is owned by both Richmond County and the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
It provides water to businesses in Richmond County such as EverWind Terminals, Nova Scotia Power and Port Hawkesbury Paper.
If this application is approved, it will be the first hike since 2022 after a rate study in 2020, and according to Luciano there are two main reasons they applied.
Inflation and a new customer – EverWind Fuels.
EverWind is developing a green ammonia plant in Point Tupper who will export its product to Germany and other global markets. They have asked to draw up to 10 million litres of water a day but would be using their own equipment.
Luciano says, according to their research, there is not another application in Canada, similar to this one.
“You have an industrial user investing in their own infrastructure to access the water and doing a shared cost application through part of the utility’s assets,” explains Luciano.
If approved, how much of a hike?
There are a number of things the utility has to look into that would inform how much the rate increase would be and that can take up to 90 days.
What they have submitted for is a hike of 10.6 to 10.9 per cent. But Luciano says because it will come in three-year blocks, the final number could be completely different.
“In year two, it would be anywhere from 11.1 per cent to 19.1 per cent. In year three, anywhere from 5.2 per cent to 7.1,” explains Luciano.
Unclear about an increase for the Port Hawkesbury Utility
The Landrie Lake Utility also sells raw water to the Port Hawkesbury Water Utility, which treats it and distributes it to residents as well as businesses in Port Hawkesbury and Port Hastings.
Luciano says the Landrie Lake rate hike will not directly affect those customers, but it could happen in time if the Port Hawkesbury utility asks for one.
“The water utility for the Town of Port Hawkesbury would have to make an additional application to the regulatory and review board,” says Luciano.
Luciano says they have not heard any concerns yet but if an application is submitted, there will be a public hearing.
“The public will certainly have an opportunity to comment on it,” says Luciano.
Next steps
Luciano says they had intended to apply for a Landrie Lake increase prior to this because, “we are due” and even if EverWind was not a factor, they would have still submitted.
Now that the Landrie Lake Utility has had the public hearing with the Board, they have to review the study and formula used to calculate EverWind’s charge to make sure it’s fair.
Editor’s Note: Our original story incorrectly identified a water rate hike had been approved. We apologize for our error and any confusion our story may have caused. This has been corrected.
