Parts of Nova Scotia ravaged by heavy rains and flash flooding — again

Less than two weeks before the anniversary of deadly floods that devastated parts of Nova Scotia, some of those same counties were once again ravaged by heavy rains and raging floodwaters. A flash flood alert was issued for Digby, Annapolis, Kings and Hants counties Thursday evening as remnants of post-tropical storm Beryl swept through the western part of the province.

The province issued the alert at 8:30 p.m. AT.

"Heavy rain caused by thunderstorms passing through areas of the province are causing some localized flooding and washouts of roads," stated the alert. "Flash flooding has been reported. Residents are advised to listen to local forecasts and use caution if traveling."

Abraham Zebian, mayor of West Hants Regional Municipality, told CBC News on Thursday night the alert brought an unwelcome sense of deja vu.

Four people died in West Hants last July when torrential downpours swamped most of central Nova Scotia. Hundreds of people were forced from their homes, and there was widespread damage to roads and other infrastructure.

"These storms are becoming very frequent, it becomes taxing on residents and you know, you hope for the best for everybody," said Zebian on Thursday evening.

He said he'd visited a number of sites in his area to get a sense of the flood damage.

"There's some road washouts, overland flooding, infrastructure that was inundated with a lot of water in a very short period of time," Zebian said, adding he was hearing reports of flooded basements and water reaching the height of electrical panels.

The basement of Carly Richard's home in Windsor flooded on Thursday. Richard, 19, said that also happened during last year's flood.

"My single mom, it's just me and her that are at the home, she bought that house four years ago. I remember that it was a big deal, her first home she ever bought. So for this to continue happening, it's extremely devastating," Richard told CBC News.

Richard, who is also a volunteer firefighter, says a lot of people in Windsor, Falmouth, Brooklyn and surrounding areas continue to live with damage from a year ago.

"We're still dealing with clogged drains, culverts that have been crushed or damaged due to the last flood. That's the whole reason we are flooding again today is because nothing has been resolved. No drains have been cleared, ditches are still full from last year. There's no place for the water to go, unfortunately. That's why it's so bad."

Scott Hamilton, the chief of the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department, said there was flooding in some parts of the Annapolis Valley town.

He said the fire department has helped with the voluntary evacuations of people from around 10 homes, responded to some car crashes, and helped with road closures.