A significant rain event began September 4, 2026. Widespread flooding resulted in road closures, evacuations and disruption to transportation networks, and as a result, a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) was declared for Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties on Sept. 5.
The SOLE was put in place not only to support public safety, but also to enable emergency responders and public works teams the ability to travel swiftly to impacted areas, assess conditions, and support residents.
After consultation with provincial partners, the Western Cape Breton REMO determined that it was safe to lift the SOLE for Inverness and Victoria Counties on September 8., 2026. Following further assessment of roads and infrastructure in the hardest hit areas of Richmond County, the Richmond County SOLE was lifted on September 9, 2026.
In an effort to support residents, a temporary resident support phoneline was set up to serve as a central point of contact for impact residents to report non-emergency issues. That phoneline is on longer open, and residents are encouraged to reach out directly to their respective Municipality.
- Inverness County: 1-866-258-0223, option 3 /
- Victoria County: 902-578-1994 /
- Richmond County: 1-800-567-2600, option 9, /
- Town of Port Hawkesbury: 902-625-2746 /
In addition, the following frequently asked questions and resource links can be found below.
Resident Supports
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there any financial assistance available for home or property damage?
Further information about disaster funding assistance will be shared once available.
I have no insurance. What can I do?
Further information about disaster funding assistance will be shared once available.
It is not safe to return to my home. What can I do?
If you have no alternative accommodations, please contact your respective municipality.
My basement is flooded. What do I do?
Call your insurance provider. If you do not have insurance, please contact 1-844-227-5422.
My culvert is impassable. Who should I call?
If the culvert is on a provincial road, contact the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works hotline: 1-844-696-7737. If the culvert is on a private road, contact your insurance provider.
My drinking water source has been impacted. What should I do?
Contact the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change at 1-800-565-1633.
How do I report damage to my road?
- For provincial roads, call the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works hotline at 1-844-696-7737.
- If the road is privately owned, call your insurance provider.
- If you do not have insurance, contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Consumer Information Centre toll-free at 1-844-227-5422.
I have damage to my home and/or property. What do I do now?
Call your insurance provider. Residents with general insurance questions are encouraged to call the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Consumer Information Centre toll-free at 1-844-227-5422.
Who do I call to report or receive an update regarding a power outage?
Contact the Nova Scotia Power Customer Service Line: 1-877-428-6004.
How do I properly dispose of storm related debris (trees/shrubs/bushes, etc.) or food waste?
Please contact your municipality’s solid waste team for further direction.
Inverness County: 1-866-258-0223, option 1
Victoria County: 902-295-3231, option 2
Richmond County: 902-226-2400, option 3
Town of Port Hawkesbury: 902-625-7888
Resources:
- Current road conditions - 511 Nova Scotia
- Canadian Red Cross Flooding Information and Support - Flooding Information and Support - Canadian Red Cross
- Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management
- Floods: Floods | All Hazards
- Using well water after a flood: Using_Well_Water_after_a_Flood-en.pdf
- After a flood: safe generator use: Generators and Carbon Monoxide_0.pdf
- After a flood: sewage: After a Flood - Sewage.pdf
- After a flood: indoor air quality: Flood cleanup: keep in mind indoor air quality - Canada.ca
Contacts:
- Nova Scotia Department of Public Works Hotline: 1-844-696-7737
- Nova Scotia Power Outage Line: 1-877-428-6004
- Insurance Bureau of Canada Consumer Information Centre: 1-844-227-5422
- Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change: 1-800-565-1633
Western Cape Breton Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO)
Supported by funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management, in September 2026, Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties and the Town of Port Hawkesbury partnered to establish the Western Cape Breton Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO).
A REMO brings neighbouring municipalities together to coordinate emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery. It provides a structure for municipalities and emergency response agencies to work together when an incident extends beyond the capacity of a single community.