Collision repairers in Nova Scotia are praising the province's response to flooding triggered by an early spring thaw.
Last week, floodwaters rose across parts of Atlantic Canada last week as a late-winter storm and rapid snowmelt combined.
Heavy rain and high winds on March 18 triggered localized flooding across Nova Scotia, particularly in Truro and Colchester County, where streets, parking lots and key crossings were submerged within hours.
Rain fell onto saturated ground producing a fast-moving freshet that pushed rivers over their banks and filled low-lying areas. Despite this, the region's collision repairers reported fewer damaged vehicles than expected, as governments moved quickly to close off risk zones.
"We only had one flood vehicle come in," says Melissa Hutt, bodyshop manager at Pye Chevrolet in Truro. "The government usually closes roads before vehicles are put at risk of damage. That's what happened this time -- though was left open."
Provincial crews moved quickly to limit damage as water levels rose, closing flood-prone roads across Colchester and Pictou counties and issuing travel advisories as conditions deteriorated.
The response relied on real-time monitoring from Nova Scotia’s network of hydrometric stations and tidal gauges, allowing officials to track river levels and coastal surge and shut down routes before vehicles were exposed.
Road closures were also implemented in the nearby Pictou and Colchester counties, though some drivers were caught before barriers were fully in place.
"We haven't seen much damage here. It's not as bad as in Truro and because the roads were closed, it's been pretty quiet in the shop," said Tim Munroe, body shop manager at Perry's Autobody.
In recent years, flood-related damage to property and automobiles has been on the rise. Nova Scotia has the highest number of properties at risk from flooding in Atlantic Canada.
