FREDRICTON, N.B. — Heavy rain in New Brunswick has washed out some roads and is being blamed for the death of a man as more than 160 millimetres of rain fell on some areas.
The province's Emergency Measures Organization says the downpour Wednesday and early today damaged infrastructure and closed roads.
The RCMP say a 51-year-old man in Berwick, N.B., died after a retaining wall collapsed on him as he was connecting a sump pump at his home.
Six duck hunters were also rescued from a small island on Grand Lake after their boat started to sink Wednesday night.
Environment Canada says 168 millimetres of rain was reported at Kouchibouguac.
New Brunswick Power reported more than 5,000 outages today, with most of them in the area around Fredericton.
The Emergency Measures Organization said local infrastructure hasn't been able to cope with the rainfall.
"Drainage systems have become overwhelmed in many places and there are reports of localized flooding," the organization said in a statement. "The impact upon private homes is reported to be significant."
It said most roads were swamped and caution was being urged for drivers particularly in central and southern regions. The downpour and subsequent washouts also forced the closure of some schools and cancelled buses.
Heavy rainfall warnings for New Brunswick and P.E.I. ended today, though warnings remained in effect for much of Nova Scotia and western Newfoundland.
The weather office predicted between 40 and 80 millimetres of rain in Nova Scotia and similar amounts in western Newfoundland.
Forecasters urged people to prepare for flash flooding.
"Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible," the agency said on its website. "Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts."
Nova Scotia Power crews worked today to restore power to about 3,000 customers.
Despite the nasty weather, four cruise ships carrying more than 5,200 passengers plus crew planned to make a day of it in Halifax harbour, including the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner which arrived around 7 a.m. A fifth vessel decided to bypass Halifax due to the weather and was headed for Saint John, N.B.
Lane Farguson, a spokesman for the Halifax Port Authority, said the rain wasn't ideal but cruise passengers to the Maritimes are typically prepared for changeable weather.
"They know it's possibly a good idea to bring some rain gear," he said.
Some even embrace the dampness.
"It does add something to the experience when you get to see Peggy's Cove with the wind beating down."
