Nova Scotia RCMP are actively searching for four individuals, including two children, who went missing after intense thunderstorms caused record-breaking rainfall across the province.
Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay, an RCMP spokesperson, stated that updates on the search progress would be provided later in the day.
The incidents occurred in West Hants, a predominantly rural municipality located northwest of Halifax. The missing children were part of a group of three others who managed to escape from a vehicle trapped in floodwaters. Additionally, another vehicle with four occupants submerged, and while two individuals were able to escape, a youth and a man are still unaccounted for.
Emergency officials in West Hants have lifted the evacuation order for the affected area as of early Sunday.
According to Environment Canada, the torrential downpour that began on Friday resulted in rainfall ranging from 200-250 millimeters along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, the Halifax area, and central and western regions.
In response to the severe weather and flooding, Premier Tim Houston declared a province-wide state of emergency on Saturday. The state of emergency is scheduled to remain in effect until August 5, unless the government decides to extend or terminate it before then.