Rainfall warning continues, two cruise ships port early
Posted Oct 1, 2015 05:22:01 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – The wet weather hitting most of the Maritimes means two cruise ships will be coming to port in Halifax early on Thursday, as most of the region remains under a rainfall warning.
The rain began late Wednesday in Halifax, and the province is preparing for flash floods in prone or low-lying areas, like along the Bedford Highway.
The Port Authority said five cruise ships and over 8,000 passengers were already scheduled to arrive in Halifax on Thursday, but because of the rain, two ships have decided to dock early.
Just after midnight Thursday, the Crystal Symphony arrived, while the Queen Mary 2 is set to arrive around 7:00 a.m.
The authority said in a release that during rough weather it, “makes every effort to accommodate vessels in need of a safe harbour.”
Visibility for drivers on the roads could be an issue as well in the province because of localized downpours, according to Andy Lathem of Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management Office.
Lathem tells Global News drivers need to be paying close attention during the heavy rain.
“Hydroplaning will be an issue, if you come up to an area that is flooded and there’s moving water, don’t walk in to it and don’t walk through it,” Lathem said, adding drivers shouldn’t drive around barriers erected by emergency management officials.
“We’ve seen in our province and other jurisdictions that there’s been tragic outcomes to that, and never underestimate the power of that water.”
The Halifax-area is expected to see about 40 to 50 mm of rain on Thursday and another roughly 50 mm overnight in to Friday.
The rain isn’t expected to stop for good until early Saturday morning.
Residents are asked to take necessary precautions, and clean out any catch basins on their property to help water move away from homes and properties.
