Nova Scotia mourning woman who died during flooding, premier says

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says the province is mourning a Cape Breton Island woman who died during widespread flooding across the region caused by torrential rain.

RCMP say the body of a 46-year-old woman from Cleveland, N.S., was recovered Saturday afternoon after she was reported missing earlier that day.

The Mounties say their Richmond County office received a report the woman was missing after her vehicle was found parked near her residence on the far side of a flooded bridge. 

Police, volunteers and local fire services started searching for the woman, and her body was later recovered in the area at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to a news release.

RCMP said Sunday the death is not believed to be suspicious. A spokesperson for Nova Scotia RCMP added they would not provide any more information. 

Cape Breton Island and parts of the northeast mainland have been battered by rainfall over the weekend due to a slow-moving weather system. 

More than 200 millimetres of rain have fallen on some areas of the Island, leading to flooding that destroyed roads, culverts, barriers and bridges. 

At one point on Saturday, tens of thousands of people were without electricity, according to Nova Scotia Power’s outage map. By Sunday evening, less than 200 customers were impacted.

However, Nova Scotia’s Department of Emergency Management said Sunday morning that roads across the region continued to be affected by flooding.

A local state of emergency also remained in place Sunday for Inverness, Richmond and Victoria counties due to severe flooding and widespread damage. 

Meanwhile, Environment and Climate Change Canada lifted its weather alerts for Nova Scotia on Sunday. It issued a special weather statement for parts of northern Newfoundland, warning of heavy rain.

Houston on Sunday repeated a request by officials that people in the affected areas avoid unnecessary travel. 

“Stay off the roads while the weather is bad. Your safety is our priority,” he said in a statement. 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on the federal government on Sunday to assist Nova Scotia and its municipalities “with any resources they need to protect people and communities.”

Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said Sunday afternoon that she is in contact with her Nova Scotia counterpart, Kim Masland.

“Our government is monitoring the situation closely and stands ready to provide support to Nova Scotia and local authorities leading the response on the ground,” Olszewski said in a statement. 

Olszewski added she is deeply saddened by the Cape Breton woman’s death during the intense storm and that she extends her condolences to the woman’s family, loved ones and community.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a social media post on Saturday night that his thoughts were with everyone in eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island affected by the rain and flooding.

“Thank you to the first responders who are working around the clock to keep people safe,” Carney said. 

“Our government is in close communication with the provincial government and remains ready to provide any support needed.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2026.