More heavy rain forecast for Cape Breton as island recovers from deadly weekend storm

More rain was expected across parts of Cape Breton on Monday as residents dealt with severe flooding from a weekend storm that killed one woman.

Environment Canada issued yellow rainfall warnings for Sydney Metro, Cape Breton County and Victoria County. The weather service forecast 25 to 40 millimetres of rain, with locally higher amounts possible in thunderstorms, through the afternoon.

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Due to the impacts of the previous storm, it is advised to listen to local officials regarding road and safety conditions.

The warning followed Saturday’s storm, which brought more than 120 millimetres of rain to parts of Cape Breton. Richmond County received reports of more than 200 millimetres. Inverness, Victoria and Richmond counties declared local states of emergency because of flooding and widespread damage, but all three lifted those declarations by Monday.

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My thoughts are with her loved ones and everyone who is grieving this tragic loss.

Nova Scotia RCMP said officers found the body of a woman from Cleveland, Nova Scotia, after she went missing the previous morning. Her vehicle was found near her residence on the far side of a flooded bridge. Police said the death was not considered suspicious.

Premier Tim Houston offered condolences to the woman’s loved ones, while Emergency Management Minister Kim Masland called it a “heartbreaking loss.” Masland said public safety remained the government’s immediate priority and that emergency partners were coordinating their response. Residents were told to check conditions before travelling, obey road closures and barricades, avoid non-essential trips, and turn around if they encountered floodwater or a damaged road.

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I want her loved ones to know that all Nova Scotians are standing with them.