By Canadian Press

N.S. town closely watching water levels after cars frozen in flash flood

Feb 6, 2018 | 8:45 AM

ANTIGONISH, N.S. — A Nova Scotia town is closely watching water levels after a brook twice overflowed its banks and swamped a commercial area, encasing 23 cars in slushy ice within minutes.

Antigonish Mayor Laurie Boucher says a parking lot flooded Monday after 60 millimetre of rain came down in 24 hours.

The same lot had been submerged on Friday, after sudden, heavy rains and then a flash freeze that encased nearly two dozen cars in slushy ice.

“The parking lot went from a little bit wet to completely flooded, with 23 cars left stranded, in about 10 to 15 minutes,” Boucher said Tuesday.

“It went from plus-7 to minus-2, so it was a very quick drop and so we couldn’t get the cars out till the next day.”

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Bulldozers were brought in to help free the vehicles, she said.

“I think most of the cars would be lost — the water was up to their trunks, encased in slushy ice.”

Boucher said the water has receded but levels remain high and the forecast was calling for snow and light rain Wednesday, with heavier rains expected Thursday.

“There are two areas we’re still watching closely, but the water is flowing freely now and going in the direction it’s supposed to so we’re happy,” Boucher said.

She said the flooding occurred when Brierly Brook became clogged with ice and then spilled its banks near Main Street.

Boucher said they sometimes have flooding in the spring, but the dramatic shifts in temperature over the weekend caused water to come in quickly.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

N.S. town closely watching water levels after cars frozen in flash flood

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