4 Missing After Record-Breaking Downpours Along Canada’s Atlantic Coast Cause Flooding

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — Four people are missing after intense thunderstorms dumped record amounts of rain across a wide swath of Canada’s Atlantic-coast province of Nova Scotia over the past two days, causing flash flooding, road washouts and power outages.

The floods submerged multiple vehicles, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokeswoman Cindy Bayers said two such incidents in West Hants north of Halifax have left two adults and two children unaccounted for as of Saturday morning.

The two children went missing after the vehicle they were travelling in got stuck underwater, Bayers said, noting the three other occupants were able to escape safely.

Two other individuals, who Bayers described as a youth and a man, remain unaccounted for following a separate vehicle submersion. Two other people in that vehicle were rescued, she said, adding police are actively searching for all four missing people.

Torrential downpours started on Friday afternoon across the Halifax region, dumping more than 200 millimeters of rain in some areas. The port city typically receives about 90-100 mm of rain during an average July.

Based on radar estimates and unofficial observations, Environment Canada said on Saturday that some areas may have received more than 300 mm in 24 hours. Radar maps show the heaviest rainfall extending along the province’s southwestern shore to a point north of Halifax.

Widespread flooding has also been reported in Lunenberg County, which is west of the Halifax region.

On Friday night, water levels rose so fast in the Bedford area that volunteers with Halifax Search and Rescue were using small boats to rescue people from inundated homes.

In the Hammonds Plains area, northwest of the city, flooding washed out driveways and the shoulders of many roads.

That’s the same area where where 151 homes and businesses were destroyed by a wildfire that started on May 28, forcing evacuations that affected 16,000 residents. And for much of the past week, the Halifax area has been sweltering under an immobile dome of humidity — a rare event so close to the coast.

It was only last fall that post-tropical storm Fiona descended on the Atlantic region, killing three people, flattening scores of homes and knocking out power to more than 600,000 homes and businesses. Fiona was the most costly weather event in the region’s history, causing more than 800 million Canadian dollars ($604 million) in insured damage.

“It’s pretty obvious that the climate is changing — from Fiona last year to the wildfires in the spring and now flooding in the summer,” Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said.

“We’re getting storms that used to be considered one-in-50-year events ... pretty regularly,” he added.

While the official statistics have yet to be recorded, it’s believed the Halifax region has not seen this level of rainfall since Aug. 16, 1971, when hurricane Beth made landfall near the eastern tip of mainland Nova Scotia and then roared over Cape Breton. At that time, almost 250 mm of rain fell on the Halifax area, causing widespread flooding and damage.

Nova Scotia Welcomes Travelers To Canada In 2022 With A Tree Walk Opening, Historic Accommodations, And More

Located in eastern Canada and almost completely surrounded by the ocean, Nova Scotia is home to over 150 lighthouses, breathtaking National and Provincial Parks, and an abundance of fisheries that provide world class seafood. Now that the U.S./Canada borders are open to travel, visitors can find new accommodations and a bustling culinary scene, as well as year-round outdoor adventure in the fishing villages and parks that line the coast, from the South Shore to Cape Breton Island and beyond.

Scheduled to open in late 2022, the Ingonish Tree Walk at Cape Smokey Provincial Park, located along the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, will soar 30 meters above the ground as North America's first and only tree walk. Travelers will find breathtaking views of the Cape Breton Highlands and Atlantic Ocean from the eight-person Cape Smokey Gondola, which opened in September 2021 and lifts visitors 320 meters to the top in four minutes. More upcoming developments for Cape Smokey include a brewery, restaurant, and accommodations.

In October 2021, a 14,000-square-foot Viewing Deck opened at the iconic Peggy's Cove for safe viewing of its world-famous lighthouse. The viewing deck is set into the rock to not overshadow the landscape while the rail guard is constructed with a steel knit pattern to resemble fish net. The fishing village of Peggy's Cove on the South Shore of Nova Scotia is known for its picturesque houses, wave-washed boulders, and active fishing community, while its lighthouse is one of the most photographed in the province.

Ten new oceanside yurts have been constructed in Guysborough on the eastern peninsula of Cheduabucto Bay, allowing guests to glamp in a vineyard. The Authentic Seacoast: Yurts in the Vineyard offer yurt accommodations that are fully furnished with BBQs, a private firepit and hot tub, and a skylight for stargazing. Guests can visit Authentic Seacoast's state-of-the-art distillery and brewery next door, rent bicycles or kayaks, or unwind in the seaside sauna.

White Point Beach Resort on the South Shore has long been one of the most popular vacation destinations in the province. New additions to their long list of amenities are the Lakeside Glomes. These intimate, inviting, private and romantic Glomes will be open year-round for guests to enjoy a unique and new experience with all the comforts of the resort. Created for couples, these will be ultimate grown-up getaway with personal hot tubs on each private deck.

The Senator is a historic 1895 Queen Anne building, located in the heart of Liverpool. It has been carefully renovated to preserve its traditional features while adding modern comforts. Each of the five luxury suites has a one-of-a-kind decor. Enjoy wood floors, spacious rooms, antique furnishings, stained glass windows, stylish lighting fixtures, and charming features like a 'turret' space.

Experience the unique flavours of Halifax's urban neighbourhoods on an all-inclusive walking food & drink tour by Curated Food Tours. Choose from tours such as The Best of Quinpool Road, the Halifax Pizza Crawl or the Downtown Halifax Seafood Tour. You will eat well, enjoy some beverages, have fun, and learn lots of cool stuff along the way.

About Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT):

This project has been made possible through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT). ACAT is a nine-member pan-Atlantic initiative comprising the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations, and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism.

For more information on the four provinces, visit these websites or follow on social media:

New Brunswick Web: http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca Instagram: @DestinationNB Twitter: @DestinationNB Facebook: @DestinationNB

Nova Scotia Web: http://www.novascotia.com Instagram: @VisitNovaScotia Twitter: @VisitNovaScotia Facebook: @NovaScotia

Newfoundland and Labrador Web: http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com Instagram: @newfoundlandlabrador Twitter: @NLtweets Facebook: @NewfoundlandLabradorTourism

Prince Edward Island Web: http://www.tourismpei.com Instagram: @tourismpei Twitter: @tourismpei Facebook: @tourismpei

Atlantic Canada Offering Travelers New Places to Eat, Sleep and Adventure

While the U.S./Canadian border remains closed, Atlantic Canada has prepared for the resumption of travel by opening new luxury hotels, coastal parks, and curating programming for the anniversaries of signature events.

The four provinces of the region, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island each have their own news-worthy happenings in 2021. A 19-mile coastal parkway in New Brunswick is a road tripper's dream, while adventurous visitors can stroll around North America's first tree walk in Nova Scotia. Seafood lovers will find a slice of paradise at the 25th Annual International Shellfish Festival in Prince Edward Island, and visitors can have a hands-on lesson in geological history at the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Nova Scotia

New accommodations opening in Nova Scotia this year include the MUIR at The Queen's Marque, a Marriot Autograph Collection five-star property on the Halifax Waterfront, featuring a custom-designed speakeasy, guest-only art gallery, cold plunge and hydrotherapy pools, a salt room, and even private yacht access. In the Annapolis Valley, an under-the-radar wine region on the western coast of the province, the Inn at the Winery at Grand Pré will open in summer 2021 in the family owners' renovated farmhouse. Nearby at the Grand Pré National Historic Site, O'TENTiks are available to book beginning this spring, which resemble a tent and cabin against the landscape of green meadows and weeping willows of the west coast.

Opening this summer, the Cape Smokey Tree Walk offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and experiential history of the Mi'kmaq people in Cape Breton. The tree walk will soar 285 meters above sea level with 561 meters of walkway. In the fall, a gondola will be installed that will take 4 minutes to transfer visitors from the base to the top of Cape Smokey and will be accessible year-round for skiers and borders in the winter and hikers and cyclists in the summer.

As Nova Scotia's 6th UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark tells the story of the supercontinent Pangea from 300 years ago. With a 102-mile drive along the Bay of Fundy shoreline, there are hiking trails, parks, museums, lighthouses, and beaches. Bookable experiences include kayaking adventures, boat tours, golfing, and museums.

New Brunswick

Hugging the southern coast of New Brunswick, the Fundy Trail Parkway is a 6,323-acre park and 19-mile parkway carved out of one of the last remaining coastal wilderness areas between Florida and Newfoundland & Labrador. Visitors can hike and drive through coastal cliffs, river estuaries, waterfalls, pristine beaches, and a 275-ft suspension bridge.

The Place Fort La Tour opens in June 2021 to commemorate more than 5,700 years of ceremonial, trade, and cultural history from the Harbor Passage on the Bay of Fundy. In addition, Le Pays de la Sagouine, a recreated village located on Flea Island, a small natural island in the middle of Bouctouche Bay, is celebrating 30 years of offering musical and theatrical Acadian history experiences for travelers.

Fils du Roy Distillery will become the first Canadian distillery to malt its own cereals in 2021 with the opening of an on-site malt house. Located on the Acadian Peninsula, the distillery will tap barley exclusively from local growers with plans to develop their own 700 acres to grow high quality barley. It's a rare opportunity for whiskey lovers to follow the entire process of production and distilling.

Newfoundland & Labrador

Located on the eastern Bonavista Peninsula, the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark offers ten developed geosites that showcase the region's diverse geological, natural, and cultural landscape. Visitors will discover 600-million-year-old fossils, spectacular rock formations, traditional root cellar farming, and learn about geopark conservation and history.

Since opening in fall 2020, the Bumblebee Bight Inn and Brewery offers guests a taste of six inaugural beers, including sours made from seasonal local berries. Upstairs, visitors will find five individual four-star rooms to spend the night. Located in Pilley's Island, Green Bay South, there are walking trails, ocean tours, and historical sites nearby.

The charming boutique hotel of Hew & Draw Hotel, which opened in spring 2020, pays homage to the breathtaking wilderness of Western Newfoundland & Labrador with local coffee, toiletries, and wallpaper inspired by the province. Located in Corner Brook, it's a 90-minute drive from the soaring fjords, beaches, and bogs of Gros Morne National Park, and kayaking adventures are available nearby in the Bay of Islands.

Prince Edward Island

Oysters, mussels, and lobster take center stage during the annual four-day International Shellfish Festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary in September 2021. Held in conjunction with the Fall Flavours Festival each year, there are culinary competitions, celebrity chef appearances, kitchen parties, shucking competitions, and more. Each event showcases indigenous foods and agricultural products to put Canada's food island on the global map.

A four-season glamping resort is set to open in spring 2021 at the Nature Space Resort & Retreat Center, an outdoors-focused property that opened in 2020. The resort offers indoor and outdoor yoga retreats and kayaking excursions for guests to connect with the environment at St Peter's Lake in Morell, PEI.

About Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT):

This project has been made possible through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT). ACAT is a nine-member pan-Atlantic initiative comprising the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations, and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism.

For more information on the four provinces, visit these websites or follow on social media:

New Brunswick

Instagram: @DestinationNB Twitter: @SeeNewBrunswick Facebook: @DestinationNB

Nova Scotia

Web: http://www.novascotia.com Instagram: @VisitNovaScotia Twitter: @VisitNovaScotia Facebook: @NovaScotia

Newfoundland and Labrador

Web: http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com Instagram: @newfoundlandlabrador Twitter: @NLtweets Facebook: @NewfoundlandLabradorTourism

Prince Edward Island

Web: http://www.tourismpei.com Web: http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca

2015's Best Places To Visit In Canada Announced

TORONTO, Canada - Vacay.ca's 20 Best Places to Visit in Canada in 2015 were announced today. Toronto tops the list. Toronto welcomes the Pan Am Games and 40th edition of Toronto International Film Festival. Vancouver and Kingston round out top five.

The full list:

1. Toronto, Ontario
2. Revelstoke, British Columbia
3. Auyuittuq National Park, Nunavut
4. Vancouver, British Columbia
5. Kingston, Ontario
6. Jasper, Alberta
7. Torngat Mountains, Newfoundland & Labrador
8. Montreal, Quebec
9. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
10. Calgary, Alberta
11. Wolfville & Grand Pré, Nova Scotia
12. Quebec City, Quebec
13. Cowichan Valley, British Columbia
14. Fogo & Change Islands, Newfoundland & Labrador
15. Winnipeg, Manitoba
16. Charlevoix, Quebec
17. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
18. Dawson City, Yukon
19. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20. Cowboy Trail, Alberta

Maine And Canada Join Together To Host 2014 World Acadian Congress, August 8 – 24, 2014

 For the first time, Maine and Canada will jointly host the World Acadian Congress (Congrès mondial acadien,http://www.cma2014.com/en), which has taken place every five years since 1994. Held previously in Canada and Louisiana, the 2014 Congress now includes the St. John Valley and the city of Madawaska located in Maine’s Aroostook County on the Canadian border. In addition to St. John Valley, the Congress includes New Brunswick and the Temiscouata region of Quebec to form “Acadia of Lands and Forest.”

 

A Celebration of the Acadian Culture

The Acadian World Congress celebrates the Acadian culture that began in the mid-18^th century when French Acadians were expelled from the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island for not swearing allegiance to England during the French and Indian War. 

 

Approximately 50,000 visitors are expected to travel to “Acadia of Lands and Forests” for the festivities. The Congress, which runs from August 8^ththrough August 24^th, celebrates unique Acadian culture including food, language, music, and other traditions. The mission of the Congress is to bring together Acadians from across the globe for family reunions, conferences and events.  There are 120 family reunions scheduled for 2014, and residents in Northern Maine have opened their homes to many of these families to host them during the Congress.

 

Activities and Events    

Three major activities taking place on three separate days will frame the Congress events, each of which will showcase one of the three host sub-regions that make up Acadia of the Lands and Forests.

 

Opening ceremonies will be held in northwestern New Brunswick on August 8^th.  The Acadian National Day will be celebrated in Maine on August 15^th in the town of Madawaska, where more than 80 percent of the residents speak French at home.  They are expected to welcome more than 10,000 French Acadians on that day.   Events include an outdoor Mass with an 80-member international choir that will be celebrated by bishops representing the municipalities covered by “Acadia of the Lands and Forests.” Downtown Madawaska will offer street entertainment, art exhibitions, community barbecues and other activities.

 

A highlight of the day is the Tintamarre where thousands of Acadians and their friends dressed in Acadian colors of blue, white, and red assemble in the streets playing pots, pans and other noisemakers.  In the evening, visitors can enjoy the National Acadian Holiday stage event “Acadie fille d’Amerique” at the Multipurpose Centre in Madawaska celebrating more than 400 years of Acadian presence in America with music and song.  The day ends with a dazzling fireworks display. 

 

Maine and the Province of New Brunswick will present the Songwriters Circle Without Borders featuring four talented singer-songwriters on one stage.  Representing Maine are Denny Breau and JoséVachon with Caroline Savoie and Danny Bourreau from New Brunswick. Performances will be held on Sunday August 17^th at 9:00 p.m. Atlantic Time at the Pavillon MultiMEDIA in Edmundston and Monday, August 18^th at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at the Fox Theater at the University of Maine in Fort Kent.  Admission is free.  The project is supported by Music Musique NB and the Maine Arts Commission.

 

 

For additional information on the 2014 World Acadian Congress visit http://www.cma2014.com/en.  For more information on traveling in Maine, visit www.visitmaine.com.