Residents of Sunnyvale Crescent in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, are still grappling with the aftermath of a deadly and destructive flash flooding that struck the area one week ago. The flooding, caused by sewer backups and overflow from the nearby Little Sackville River, led to devastating scenes as some homes experienced water levels rising four to seven feet.
Blair LeBlanc, a resident of Sunnyvale Crescent, was away in Cape Breton when the storm hit. He received a notification from his security system about the flooding in his basement, prompting him and his wife, Christine, to rush back home. Upon their return after midnight, they were met with a sewer backup and a back door blown open by the force of the rushing river in their backyard.
The water line in LeBlanc’s basement marked a sobering reminder of the flood’s severity, reaching four feet in height. The front lawns in the neighborhood are now scattered with damaged furniture, appliances, and household items.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the residents on Sunnyvale Crescent have demonstrated remarkable community spirit, extending a helping hand to one another. LeBlanc’s neighbor lent him a generator, and he has been sharing pressure washers and squeegees with others for the cleanup.
LeBlanc’s wife, Christine, runs a daycare from their home, but due to the flood damage, she’s temporarily without a workspace. However, another neighbor offered assistance by allowing Christine to use her daycare space for the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, in Bedford, a GoFundMe page has been launched (https://www.gofundme.com/f/bedford-hammond-plains-minor-baseball-support) to raise funds for the restoration of the Joan and Robert Lenihan baseball fields, which were severely affected by the torrential rain and swollen Sackville River. The flooding turned the park into a lake, submerging the ball diamond, canteen, and equipment and storage sheds.
Ken Lenihan, a minor baseball organizer in Bedford, reported that they have raised close to ten thousand dollars through the GoFundMe campaign. Although they expect minor baseball games to resume in the near future, the process of rebuilding the canteen and facilities will take time due to the lack of power.
Last week’s rainfalls in various parts of Nova Scotia amounted to as much as 250 millimeters or more within a span of 12 to 18 hours, causing severe damage and disruptions.
Despite the challenges faced by the residents and the community, the collective efforts to support one another during this difficult time demonstrate the resilience and strength of Nova Scotians in the face of natural disasters.