Nova Scotia warning residents about heavy rainfall, potential flood risk

HALIFAX – As Nova Scotians brace for a day-and-a-half of thunderstorms and heavy rain, a federal meteorologist says it’s not expected to be on the same scale as devastating rain events from previous summers.

Environment Canada has issued a combination of special weather statements and alerts for heavy rain across Nova Scotia and parts of New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Up to 60 millimetres could fall in southwest Nova Scotia and along the Atlantic coast, with the weather agency warning more could fall during thunderstorms.

The heavy rain is expected to continue in Nova Scotia until Thursday afternoon.

Ian Hubbard, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the rain in the forecast is significant, but thankfully it’s expected to happen in on-and-off bursts between Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.

Hubbard said “we aren’t really talking too much about flooding from this, but as always with heavier downpours, there are some of those local … low-lying areas of poor drainage that we are concerned about.”

Three years ago, on July 21 and 22, 2023, about 250 millimetres of rain fell in some parts of the province, leading to extensive flash flooding in several low-lying areas. Four people died during the storm when the vehicles they were travelling in got swept away by rising floodwaters near Brooklyn, N.S. 

The following year, a 13-year-old in western Nova Scotia died after being swept into a ditch near a Wolfville, N.S. park during flash flooding on July 11, 2024. 

Hubbard said the rain in the forecast is not comparable to these previous, tragic flash floods. 

“I can’t compare this system to previous storms that have resulted in those incidents … there are many different synoptic ways that rain can come, and certainly this one is not of the same scale that we’ve seen before in terms of the total amount that we’re expecting, and also the duration” of the storm, he said.

The meteorologist said he’s hopeful rain accumulation will be gradual enough that the ground will absorb it. 

“Certainly some areas are in need of some rain,” he added.

Over the weekend, an evacuation order for about 100 residences triggered by a wildfire in a rural community northeast of Halifax was lifted. The fire that measured 14.5 square kilometres on Sunday was declared held.

Meanwhile, Nova Scotia Emergency Management Minister Kim Masland is warning residents to prepare for the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

The minister encouraged Nova Scotians to take the forecast “seriously,” keep a close eye on weather warnings and prepare for potential floods and road disruptions in a statement Tuesday. 

“Heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm drainage systems, cause rivers and streams to rise, and create dangerous conditions on roads …   They (residents) should avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways,” the minister said in the statement. 

Masland also said Nova Scotians should have emergency kits stocked and ready, with mobile devices charges and those living in flood-prone areas should take additional precautions to prepare their property for heavy rain.

Heavy rain is also in the forecast in New Brunswick’s Fundy Coast and around the Moncton area, while wind warnings are in place on the west coast of Cape Breton and the Wreckhouse area of Newfoundland, where heavy rain is also expected.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2026.