State of Local Emergency Lifted for Inverness & Victoria Counties, Remains in Place for Richmond County

Posted on:
September 8, 2026

The State of Local Emergency has been lifted for Inverness and Victoria Counties. The State of Local Emergency remains in place for Richmond County. Travel is not prohibited; however, residents are encouraged to assess road conditions and check 511 before heading out.

A State of Local Emergency (SOLE) was called on September 6 for Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties following widespread flooding that had resulted in road closures, evacuations, and disruptions to transportation networks.  The SOLE was put in place not only to support public safety, but also to enable emergency responders and public works teams the ability to travel swiftly to impacted areas, assess conditions, and support residents.

After consultation with provincial partners, the Western Cape Breton REMO has determined that it is safe to lift the SOLE for Inverness and Victoria Counties. Due to further assessment of roads and infrastructure in the hardest hit areas of Richmond County, the SOLE is remaining in place for Richmond County.

Key Tips for Impacted Residents:

• Residents with general insurance questions are encouraged to call the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Consumer Information Centre toll-free at 1-844-227-5422. Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, auto and business insurers. To learn more about supports available, visit Cape Breton Flooding: Insurance Bureau of Canada provides insurance guidance.
• Residents from Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties and the Town of Port Hawkesbury are encouraged to continue calling the municipal support line.
  • Phone number: 902-625-7888
  • Hours of operation: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. today and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. starting tomorrow. Any changes to the support line or its hours will be shared if/when available.
  • What callers can expect: Calls will be answered by a municipal representative. If residents are unable to reach someone when they call, they may leave a voicemail, and a representative will return their call. The nature of the concern will determine the appropriate response and follow-up.
  • The support line is intended for non-emergency issues and concerns. Any situation requiring immediate emergency assistance should be reported by calling 911.
• For current road conditions, visit https://511.novascotia.ca/.
• Visit your municipal website and/or Facebook pages for future updates, continue to call the resident support line as needed, and pay close attention to safety signage on the roads when travelling.