Western Cape Breton Municipal Support Line Opens Sept. 6
*Sharing on behalf of Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties, and the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
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Four municipalities are working together to support residents affected by the ongoing State of Local Emergency in western Cape Breton, including Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties and the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
A municipal support line will open Sunday, September 6, at 8 a.m. The line will provide residents with a central point of contact to report non-emergency issues and concerns related to the current emergency situation.
- Municipal Support Line: 902-625-7888
- Hours of operation: The support line will be available Sunday, September 6, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 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 available to residents of Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties and the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
The support line is intended for non-emergency issues and concerns. Any situation requiring immediate emergency assistance should be reported by calling 911.
Additional hours of operation will be announced as they are confirmed.
Earlier today, September 5, municipal officials declared a State of Local Emergency as response efforts continue and crews assess damage to roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
Widespread flooding has resulted in road closures, evacuations and disruptions to transportation networks. Conditions remain dangerous, and residents are encouraged to follow directions from emergency officials, stay away from affected areas and avoid unnecessary travel where possible.
To learn more about the local state of emergency, visit State of Local Emergency Declared in Parts of Cape Breton | Municipality of the County of Inverness.
For current road conditions, visit https://511.novascotia.ca/.
State of Local Emergency Declared in Parts of Cape Breton
Sharing on behalf of Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties, and the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
State of Local Emergency Declared in Parts of Cape Breton; Residents Urged to Avoid Travel
Residents are being urged to avoid all non-essential travel as heavy rainfall continues to cause significant flooding, road washouts and transportation disruptions across parts of Cape Breton.
Municipal officials have declared a State of Local Emergency in affected areas as response efforts continue and crews assess damage to roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure. Widespread flooding has resulted in road closures, evacuations and disruptions to transportation networks, and conditions remain dangerous.
Emergency responders, municipal officials, Department of Public Works crews and other partners are working around the clock to respond to incidents, support affected residents and assess damage.
“Public safety remains our top priority,” said Jerron Hawley, Regional Manager for Emergency Services, for Western Cape Breton “People should stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary. Reducing traffic in affected areas will help keep residents safe and allow emergency crews to respond quickly and efficiently.”
Residents are reminded to:
- Not travel unless your trip is absolutely necessary.
- Check 511 Nova Scotia before travelling and be prepared for conditions to change quickly.
- Never drive through flooded roads, standing water, washed-out areas, or around barricades and road closures.
- Turn around and find another route if you encounter water on the roadway.
- Remember that floodwaters may be deeper and moving faster than they appear.
- Give emergency responders, assessment teams and road crews the space they need to work safely.
- Follow instructions from local authorities and emergency officials.
Officials caution that additional road closures may occur without warning as rainfall continues and damage assessments progress. Residents should expect travel disruptions and delays throughout affected areas.
Provincial and Municipal emergency management officials continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate response efforts. Life safety remains the primary focus as crews work to assist impacted communities and restore transportation routes.
Residents should monitor local media, 511 Nova Scotia and official government channels for the latest information on road closures, weather conditions and public safety updates.
For current road conditions, visit 511 Nova Scotia.
Motorists to Use Extreme Caution in Construction Area
Municipality Urges Motorists to Use Extreme Caution in Central Avenue Construction Area
As we head into a rainy long weekend, the Municipality of Inverness County is reminding motorists traveling through the Central Avenue Rebuild Project area to exercise extreme caution and reduce their speed.
At the end of each construction day, the contractor works to prepare the closed section of roadway for temporary use by motorists. However, high traffic volumes and wet weather can significantly affect the condition of the roadway, creating challenging driving conditions for motorists, especially during weekends.
Motorists are reminded to slow down, follow all posted signage and traffic controls, and remain on the designated side of the roadway. Please do not drive on the opposite side of the road to avoid gravel, uneven surfaces, or other temporary road conditions.
The contractor will continue to manage the construction site.
The Municipality and its contractor appreciate the patience and cooperation of motorists as this important work continues, and thanks the public for traveling with care and helping to keep workers and motorists safe.
To learn more about the Central Avenue Rebuild Project, visit Central Avenue Rebuild | Municipality of the County of Inverness .
Closure of Recreation and Community Wellness Office – August 26
Feedback Loop Focuses on Festivals & Events Participation
August Feedback Loop Survey Focuses on Festivals & Events Participation
The Municipality of Inverness County is launching the August edition of The Feedback Loop survey today, August 20, with a focus on festivals and events participation.
The Feedback Loop is a monthly survey initiative designed to gather feedback on a variety of municipal topics throughout 2026. Surveys are released on the third Thursday of each month and invite residents to share their perspectives, experiences, and ideas.
“Our summer festivals and events are all about bringing people together, and they simply wouldn’t happen without the incredible support of volunteers,” says Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. ” This survey explores residents’ participation in festivals and events, volunteer involvement, the role festivals play in bringing family and friends home, and the contribution festivals make to quality of life across Inverness County. We hope residents will take a few moments to fill out the survey and share their experiences with us.”
The Feedback Loop is the Municipality’s survey series to hear resident feedback. All answers remain anonymous unless you choose to share your contact information in the final question. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.
The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous.
The survey is available online, with paper copies available at the Municipal Administration Building, 375 Main St., Port Hood, and other locations throughout the County. To complete the survey, visit The Feedback Loop – Festivals & Events.
The survey closes on September 16. The next edition of The Feedback Loop will launch on September 17.
For more information, including a list of locations where paper copies are available, visit The Feedback Loop | Municipality of the County of Inverness.
Inverness | Water Disruption – August 19, 2026
The Municipality of Inverness County would like to advise residents of a planned water disruption taking place Wednesday, August 19 in the community of Inverness. Water will be shut off to a section of the community of Inverness to support a water connection for a new daycare currently under construction in Inverness.
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. until approximately 5:00 p.m.
If the timing changes, an update will be shared on invernesscounty.ca and the Municipality’s Facebook page.
Impacted areas: Campbell St., Veterans Memorial Court and Celtic Dr., Inverness
Residents may also experience impacts to local traffic, including possible street closures with local traffic access only.
The Municipality apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks residents for their cooperation and understanding.
Mabou Water Conservation Directive & Boil Water Advisory Lifted
The Municipality of Inverness County would like to notify users of the Mabou water system that the Water Conservation Directive and Boil Water Advisory is no longer in effect as of Friday, August 14, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.
The Municipality would like to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the Mabou & District Volunteer Fire Department for partnering on the resident support program, and the businesses and residents of Mabou for their patience, cooperation, and adaptability
Shean Trail Crossing Update: Temporary Access Restriction Lifted
Water Leak Repair Notice | Inverness
PSA: Municipality to repair water leak in Inverness on Friday, August 14
Staff have identified a water main leak on Forest St. in Inverness and are scheduled to do the repair tomorrow, August 14. Starting at approximately 8:00 a.m., a section of Forest St. near the Church St. intersection will be closed through the duration of the repair.
There is no service disruption anticipated. Nearby residents may experience low pressure and water discolouration during the repair.
We appreciate residents’ patience as we complete the repair. All updates will be made at invernesscounty.ca and on the municipal Facebook page.
To learn more about water leaks and how to spot them, visit invernesscounty.ca/services/public-works/report-a-water-wastewater-emergency-or-suspected-leak. If you suspect a leak, call 1-866-258-0223, option 9.
Shean Trail Crossing Temporary Closure Update
The Municipality is advising residents of the community of Inverness that infrastructure work near the Shean Trail crossing, as part of the Central Avenue Rebuild Project, is still underway as of August 10, 2026. As a result, the crossing is now expected to remain closed during contractor’s working hours (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) until later this week while crews complete underground infrastructure upgrades. The construction zone will remain barricaded, and trail users will not be able to pass through the work area during these hours. Access to the trail crossing will be restored at the end of each work day, and will be maintained this weekend.
The Municipality will provide a further update on when full access to the crossing will be restored as soon as more information becomes available. The Municipality apologizes for any inconveniences and thanks residents and trail users for their understanding.