Hanna headed for Nova Scotia

According to the Canadian Hurricane Centre, the remnants of tropical storm Hanna will bring periods of heavy rain to the Maritimes on Sunday.

Rainfall warnings were issued by the Atlantic Storm Prediction Centre Saturday morning for southern New Brunswick, P.E,I. and northern Nova Scotia with 40 to 80 mm likely. The centre says some computer guidance suggested near 100 mm of rain is possible in some areas. Some gusty winds can be expected over Nova Scotia gusting to around 70 km/h.

Complicating matters with the approaching storm is a leading area of moisture that came into the region on Saturday, bringing heavy rain to parts of Nova Scotia, including here in Yarmouth County.

Forecasts of local amounts of 30 to 40 mm of rain was possible.According to Environment Canada late Saturday afternoon, the forecast for Saturday in Yarmouth included showers, at times heavy, with the risk of a thundershower. Amounts of 15 to 25 mm.

The forecast for this area on Sunday is calling for rains, at time heavy, ending in the afternoon, with risk of a thundershower. Amount 33 mm of rain. Wind southeast 30 km/h becoming south 40 gusting to 70 in the morning then west 30 gusting to 50 in the afternoon.

As the tropical storm headed towards Nova Scotia, the province’s Emergency Management Office was encouraging Nova Scotians to be prepared with an emergency kit including non-perishable food and water and to monitor weather forecasts.

Although there EMO was saying there was is no certainty that the tropical storm will have significant impact on Nova Scotia, the is advising citizens to make appropriate preparations.

"It's always important for Nova Scotians to have an emergency kit prepared, especially during hurricane season," said Emergency Management Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. "With the potential for significant wind or rainfall from Hanna, people should remember to stock up on non-perishable food and water, bring in lawn furniture, and monitor weather forecasts."

Environment Canada forecasts the former hurricane will transition to a post-tropical storm with sustained winds of 83 km/h for parts of the region on Sunday, Sept. 7. No potential landfall for Nova Scotia is projected until Sunday.

The heavy rains associated with the tropical storm has some parts of the region concerned about possible local flooding, particularly combined with Saturday’s heavy rainfall.

According to the Canadian Hurricane Centre, Hanna made landfall at approximately 4:20 a.m. ADT on Saturday near the border between South Carolina and North Carolina.

This was the fourth hurricane-strength storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.