Halifax District RCMP are asking drivers to stay home, after the area was hit by a series of torrential downpours.
There were multiple reports of flooding on Hammonds Plains Road, Lucasville Road, Sackville Cross Road, and parts of Sackville Drive and Beaver Bank Road, the RCMP said on Twitter shortly after 8 p.m. AT.
The Bedford Highway (near the Sunnyside Mall) is currently also the Sackville River. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/nsstorm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#nsstorm</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/nswx?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#nswx</a> <a href=”https://t.co/gDo58t3dn8″>pic.twitter.com/gDo58t3dn8</a>
—@ryansnoddon
Halifax Regional Municipality said on Facebook that comfort centres had been opened at Beaver Bank Community Centre and East Dartmouth Community Centre for people affected by flooding and power outages.
It said both centres would remain open overnight.
An emergency alert was issued shortly after 10 p.m. AT, saying flash flooding was occurring throughout the municipality and urging motorists to stay off the roads.
The province also announced closures on Highway 101 in the Lower Sackville area.
An official with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services said the department was very busy trying to help people in flooded areas and with vehicle rescues.
Earlier in the day, Environment Canada issued rainfall warnings for Halifax Metro and Halifax County West, as well as Guysborough, Lunenburg, Queens, Richmond, Shelburne, Sydney and Victoria counties.
Those counties can expect rainfall of 90 millimetres or more this weekend, the department said, with thunderstorms expected to accompany the rain.
It said heavy rains could cause flooding, elevated river levels and hazardous driving conditions.
Numerous road washouts in the Bedford and Sackville areas!! <br>The Bedford highway is dangerous and completely water covered, with rocks and debris in many places. <br>This is between the Fisherman’s Market and Hammonds Plains Road. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/nsstorm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#nsstorm</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/nswx?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#nswx</a> <a href=”https://t.co/5pUOLTc0K2″>pic.twitter.com/5pUOLTc0K2</a>
—@ryansnoddon
The warnings are in effect until Saturday evening for southwestern regions and Sunday morning for eastern regions.
Environment Canada has also issued special weather statements for Annapolis, Colchester, Cumberland, Hants and Kings counties.
Those areas can expect rainfall until Saturday afternoon that might exceed 40 millimetres.
Environment Canada said the tropical nature of moisture feeding the system could lead to heavy downpours.
Drivers should slow down if visibility is reduced, the agency said.
MORE TOP STORIES
More Stories
Fair share: the right office solution can take finding the right partner
Ontario faces crew shortages, aircraft issues in fight against wildfires | Globalnews.ca
Refugee attends open house at Downtown Eastside affordable housing facility – BC | Globalnews.ca