November 2021 Atlantic Canada floods

Last updated

November 2021 Atlantic Canada floods
DateNovember 22, 2021–November 23, 2021
Locationeastern Nova Scotia (especially Cape Breton Island), southern Labrador, western Newfoundland
Cause Rain
DeathsNone
Property damage>$7 million CAD (>$5.46 million USD) [1]

The November 2021 Atlantic Canada floods are a series of floods that are currently affecting Atlantic Canada, along with eastern areas of Quebec. The floods, similar to those that occurred in the Pacific Northwest a few days prior, were caused by an atmospheric river. Due to the intensity of the rainfall, a state of emergency was declared in Inverness and Victoria counties in Cape Breton Island. [2] Additionally, the intensity of the rainfall resulted in part of the Trans Canada Highway being closed just north of Port-aux-Basques in Newfoundland.

Contents

Background

The first warning of a possible storm was issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada on November 19, when a special weather statement was issued for all of Atlantic Canada, warning of the potential of long-duration rainfall and high winds. [3] By November 22, rainfall and wind warnings covered much of Atlantic Canada. [4] Rain associated with the system began in northern New Brunswick early on November 22. The front moved through the rest of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia through the day, before stalling out over Cape Breton Island and western Newfoundland between November 24 and 25. The reason for the system's slow movement can be attributed to an omega block over the north Atlantic. [5]

Impacts

Cape Breton Island

A number of extreme rainfall totals were recorded across Cape Breton Island, with an unofficial maximum of 278.4 millimeters falling in Ingonish River, 263 millimeters in Ingonish Beach, and 220 millimeters in Baddeck. [6] In addition, Ingonish Beach set an all-time daily rainfall record of 234 mm, nearly double the old rainfall record of 148.3 mm. [7] The extreme rainfall caused parts of the Cabot Trail to be washed out, with the damage expected to take 'days or weeks' to repair. [8]

Newfoundland

Western Newfoundland was hit the hardest by the rain. As of the morning of November 22nd, 128 mm of rain had fallen, resulting in the washout of three sections of the Trans-Canada Highway, along with Route 406–11, 413–01, and a couple of local roads, with another 50-80 millimeters of rain expected to fall throughout the rest of the day. [9]

Mainland Nova Scotia

In mainland Nova Scotia, damage was mostly localized to the eastern part of the province. From Halifax eastwards, winds gusting in excess of 100 km/h prompted a number of power outages. At the peak of the storm, several thousand people were left without power. [7] However, the worst damage occurred in the Antigonish area, where 102 mm of rain prompted severe flooding. Thirty-three people had to be rescued by boat from a trailer park when it was flooded by 1.5 meters of water. The heavy rain also washed out a culvert on Route 245, resulting in the road being closed for several days. The flooding was exacerbated by the heavy rain coinciding with a spring high tide, making it difficult for the water from the West River, Wrights River and Brierly Brook to leave Antigonish Harbour. [10]

Rest of Atlantic Canada

Although rainfall totals in the rest of Atlantic Canada were not as extreme as those seen in Nova Scotia or Newfoundland, both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island experienced significant rainfall. Widespread totals of 50-75 mm were recorded across Prince Edward Island, peaking at 99.6 mm in Borden. [11]

Aftermath

As a result of the severe damage caused by this atmospheric river, along with the one in British Columbia a few days prior, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced the unveiling of a new impact scale for atmospheric rivers. [12] This scale is expected to roll out in January 2022, and will categorize future atmospheric rivers on a scale from 1 to 5 based on impact, similar to the scale currently in use in the United States.

See also

Related Research Articles

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The 1962 Atlantic hurricane season featured Hurricanes Daisy and Ella – two tropical cyclones that showed the latest dates for the fourth and fifth named storms on record since tropical cyclones were first named in the North Atlantic ocean, starting in 1950, when they both formed on September 29 and October 14. On the same hand, it was the least active since 1939, with only five named storms. Although the season officially began on June 15, the first named storm did not form until August 26, the third-latest date. Hurricane Alma brushed the Outer Banks before becoming extratropical southeast of New England, destroying hundreds of boats and producing beneficial rainfall. In late August, Tropical Storm Becky developed unusually far east in the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the easternmost storm on record to recurve to the northeast. Celia followed in the September, forming east of the Lesser Antilles and executing a loop near Bermuda before dissipating. Hurricane Daisy, the latest fourth named storm, was the costliest of the season, leaving about $1.1 million in damage in New England (1962 USD). The storm dropped the highest rainfall total on record in Maine, and its precipitation caused 22 traffic fatalities. The final hurricane – Ella – the latest fifth named storm – was also the strongest, remaining offshore of the eastern United States but causing two deaths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1977 Atlantic hurricane season was a very inactive Atlantic hurricane season, with only six tropical storms. The season officially began on Wednesday, June 1, 1977 and lasted until Wednesday, November 30, 1977. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first tropical depression of the season developed over the western Caribbean Sea on June 13, 12 days after the start of the season, with three other tropical depressions following suit in July and early August. Then, on August 29, Hurricane Anita formed and rapidly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane on September 1, before weakening slightly and striking Mexico as a high-end Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall. At least 25,000 people were left homeless and 11 fatalities were reported, with total damages still yet to be known to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1959 Escuminac disaster</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 1959

The 1959 Escuminac disaster was considered the worst fishing-related disaster in New Brunswick in 100 years. It occurred due to the extratropical remnants of an Atlantic hurricane. The storm was the third tropical cyclone and first hurricane of the 1959 Atlantic hurricane season, and developed from a tropical wave in the central Gulf of Mexico on June 18. It headed rapidly northeastward and struck Florida later that day. Shortly after entering the Atlantic Ocean, it strengthened into a tropical storm later on June 18. By the following day, it had strengthened into a hurricane. However, it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about six hours later. The remnants struck Atlantic Canada, once in Nova Scotia and again in Newfoundland before dissipating on June 21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1927 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1927 Atlantic hurricane season featured no hurricane landfalls in the United States, in contrast to the four hurricanes that struck the United States in the previous season. Overall, the season was relatively inactive, with eight tropical storms, four of which became hurricanes. One of these became a major hurricane, which is Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. The first system, a tropical depression, developed on August 13, while the final cyclone, a tropical storm, merged with a cold front on November 21. The most significant storm of the season was Hurricane One, nicknamed the Nova Scotia hurricane. The sole major hurricane, this storm resulted in between 173 and 192 deaths in Atlantic Canada, mostly from capsized and missing ships offshore. On land, the storm left about $1.7 million (1927 USD) in damage, with much of the damage occurring in Nova Scotia. Additionally, the fourth, fifth, and sixth tropical storms brought minor impact to Bermuda, South Carolina, and Cuba, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Helene (1958)</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1958

Hurricane Helene was the most intense tropical cyclone of the 1958 Atlantic hurricane season. The eighth tropical storm and fourth hurricane of the year, Helene was formed from a tropical wave east of the Lesser Antilles on September 21, 1958. Moving steadily westward, the storm slowly intensified, attaining hurricane strength on September 24. As conditions became increasingly favorable for tropical cyclone development, Helene began to rapidly intensify. Nearing the United States East Coast, the hurricane quickly attained Category 4 intensity on September 26, before it subsequently reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 930 mbar. The intense hurricane came within 10 mi (15 km) of Cape Fear, North Carolina before recurving out to sea. Accelerating northward, Helene gradually weakened, and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone as it passed over Newfoundland on September 29. Helene's extratropical remnants traversed eastwards across the Atlantic Ocean before dissipating near Great Britain on October 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Beryl (2006)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2006

Tropical Storm Beryl was the third tropical storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Developing from a tropical disturbance on July 18, it tracked generally northward, and strengthened to attain peak winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) under generally favorable conditions. After turning to the northeast, Beryl weakened over cooler waters. On July 21 it struck the island of Nantucket, and shortly thereafter it became extratropical. The extratropical remnants continued northeastward through Nova Scotia, and on July 22 it merged with an approaching cold front.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1933

The 1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane was among the most damaging hurricanes in the Mid-Atlantic states in the eastern United States. The sixth storm and third hurricane of the very active 1933 Atlantic hurricane season, it formed in the eastern Atlantic, where it moved west-northwestward and eventually became a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. A strong ridge over New England allowed a continued northwest course, bringing the storm south of Bermuda and later toward the middle coast of the eastern United States. Advance warning allowed hundreds of people to evacuate ahead of the hurricane making landfall. It did so in northeastern North Carolina on August 23 with winds of about 90 mph (150 km/h). Soon after, the eye crossed over Norfolk, Virginia, the first time that happened since 1821. The hurricane weakened into a tropical storm over northern Virginia shortly before passing near Washington, D.C., becoming the worst tropical cyclone there since 1896. Curving northward, the storm moved through Pennsylvania and New York before losing tropical characteristics on August 25. Now extratropical, the former hurricane moved across Atlantic Canada, dissipating on August 28.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1933 Outer Banks hurricane</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1933

The 1933 Outer Banks hurricane lashed portions of the North Carolina and Virginia coasts less than a month after another hurricane hit the general area. The twelfth tropical storm and sixth hurricane of the 1933 Atlantic hurricane season, it formed by September 8 to the east of the Lesser Antilles. It moved generally to the north-northwest and strengthened quickly to peak winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) on September 12. This made it a major hurricane and a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The hurricane remained at or near that intensity for several days while tracking to the northwest. It weakened approaching the southeastern United States, and on September 16 passed just east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina with winds of about 100 mph (160 km/h). Turning to the northeast, the hurricane became extratropical on September 18 before moving across Atlantic Canada, eventually dissipating four days later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Harvey (1999)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 1999

Tropical Storm Harvey was a moderately strong tropical storm that caused flooding across south Florida during the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. The tenth tropical cyclone and eighth named storm of the season, Harvey developed from a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico on September 19. After forming, the system gradually intensified and became a tropical storm early on September 20. Throughout the rest of its duration, Harvey slowly intensified as it headed eastward. Late on September 21, Harvey made landfall in Southwest Florida with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Harvey emerged into the Atlantic early on September 22, but was absorbed by an extratropical cyclone. The remnants of Harvey reached Atlantic Canada before dissipating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1927 Nova Scotia hurricane</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 1927

The 1927 Nova Scotia hurricane was the deadliest tropical cyclone striking Canada in the 20th century. The first observed storm of the season, this cyclone developed from a tropical wave over the deep tropics of the Atlantic Ocean on August 18. Initially a tropical storm, it moved west-northwestward and intensified into a Category 1 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale by August 19. The storm intensified significantly over the next few days, and by August 22, it peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h). Around that time, the system began curving northwestward and later northward. By August 23, it turned to the north-northeast and then began weakening on August 24. Thereafter, the storm accelerated toward Atlantic Canada. Late on August 24, the hurricane struck near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, as a Category 2 hurricane, just before becoming extratropical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Karen (2001)</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2001

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Bill (2009)</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2009

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">October 2000 Atlantic Canada storm complex</span>

The October 2000 Atlantic Canada storm complex was reported as the worst storm in Prince Edward Island in 30 years. Environment Canada considered as one of the ten most significant weather events in Canada in the year. It moved southeastward from Atlantic Canada in late October 2000, producing high snowfall totals in Maine. It absorbed an unnamed subtropical cyclone, and remained nearly stationary in the Gulf of Maine for over a week. Some locations in Atlantic Canada reported record durations of continuous cloud cover. Daily amounts of rainfall produced flooding in Nova Scotia, while a high storm surge associated with the storm washed out roads in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The storm produced wind gusts that peaked at 104 mph (168 km/h) in Newfoundland, and across the region there were scattered power outages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Beth</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 1971

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Carol (1953)</span> Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in 1953

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1940 Nova Scotia hurricane</span> Category 2 Atlantic hurricane in 1940

The 1940 Nova Scotia hurricane swept through areas of Atlantic Canada in mid-September 1940. The fifth tropical cyclone and fourth hurricane of the year, it formed as a tropical depression east of the Lesser Antilles on September 7, though at the time weather observations in the area were sparse, so its formation was inferred. The disturbance gradually intensified throughout much of its early formative stages, attaining tropical storm strength on September 10; further strengthening into a hurricane north of Puerto Rico occurred two days later. Shortly thereafter, the hurricane recurved northward, and reached peak intensity the following day as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of at least 988 mbar. The cyclone steadily weakened thereafter before making landfall on Nova Scotia on September 17 with winds of 85 mph (135 km/h). Moving into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence later that day, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone. The remnant system curved eastward and passed over Newfoundland before dissipating over the Atlantic on September 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1933 Cuba–Bahamas hurricane</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 1933

The 1933 Cuba–Bahamas hurricane was last of six major hurricanes, or at least a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, in the active 1933 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed on October 1 in the Caribbean Sea as the seventeenth tropical storm, and initially moved slowly to the north. While passing west of Jamaica, the storm damaged banana plantations and killed one person. On October 3, the storm became a hurricane, and the next day crossed western Cuba. Advance warning in the country prevented any storm-related fatalities, although four people suspected of looting were shot and killed during a curfew in Havana. The German travel writer Richard Katz witnessed the hurricane while in Havana, and described the experience in his book "Loafing Around the Globe".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1893 San Roque hurricane</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 1893

Hurricane San Roque was a destructive tropical cyclone in August 1893 that principally affected Puerto Rico, eastern New England, and Atlantic Canada. Its informal name in Puerto Rico arises from the feast day of Saint Roch, or San Roque in Spanish, which coincided with the hurricane's landfall on that island. It was the third known hurricane of the 1893 Atlantic hurricane season. The system was first observed on August 13 at low latitudes east of the Lesser Antilles. It grew to be a powerful, slow-moving hurricane in the Caribbean Sea, and on August 17 struck Puerto Rico at the equivalence of Category 3 on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale. The eye crossed the island from southeast to northwest in about seven hours. A prolonged period of strong winds caused widespread destruction on the island, most notably along the northern coast. Large numbers of homes sustained varying degrees of damage, with flimsy shacks belonging to poor workers faring the worst; many families were left homeless, and four people were killed. Telegraph communications were severed across the island. In addition to the intense winds, several days of heavy rainfall in interior sectors triggered extensive river flooding. The combined effects of rain and wind destroyed fields of crops, most notably coffee and sugar cane.

References

  1. At least $7 million in estimated damage from rain storm: N.S. Premier, The Atlantic
  2. Pace, Natasha. "Emergency alert issued for N.S.'s Victoria, Inverness counties; residents asked to avoid road travel". CTV News. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  3. "SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT issued for many parts of the Maritimes as a long duration rainfall event is forecast next week. Heavy rain, will be accompanied by strong winds. Power outages/difficult travel are possible. #NSStorm". Twitter. ECCC Weather Nova Scotia. Retrieved November 24, 2021. [self-published]
  4. "ECCC Weather Nova Scotia". Twitter. [self-published]
  5. "Unrelenting deluge floods the East Coast with 100-200 mm of rain". The Weather Network. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  6. Snodden, Ryan. "Incredible rainfall totals in Cape Breton". Twitter. [self-published]
  7. 1 2 "Flood fears remain high on the East Coast after 200+ mm of rain recorded". The Weather Network .
  8. "Could take 'days or weeks' to fix flood-damaged parts of Cape Breton". CBC News. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  9. "Storm washes away areas of Trans-Canada Highway in southwestern Newfoundland". CBC News. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  10. "'It's pretty shocking,' resident says of return to Antigonish trailer park hit by flooding". CBC News .
  11. "Weather Summaries - Environment and Climate Change Canada". August 6, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. Howes, Nathan. "Canada will introduce a new impact scale for atmospheric rivers". The Weather Network .