State of Local Emergency Update – September 8, 2026

*Sharing on behalf of Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties and the Town of Port Hawkesbury

First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family, friends and community members affected by the tragic loss of life near Cleveland. This has been an extraordinarily difficult event for residents across Cape Breton and the Strait Area, and our deepest sympathies are with everyone who has been impacted.

From the outset, our priority has been public safety. Municipalities, the Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO), first responders and provincial agencies have been working around the clock to assess conditions, share information, support affected communities and respond to changing circumstances.

Current Status

• The State of Local Emergency remains in effect.
• Solid waste and recycling collection is cancelled today (Sept. 8) for Inverness, Victoria and Richmond counties.
• For the most up-to-date information around school closures, residents are encouraged to check with their regional centre for education.

Regional Coordination

Supported by funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management, Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties and the Town of Port Hawkesbury recently partnered to establish a Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO).

A REMO brings neighbouring municipalities together to coordinate emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery. It provides a structure for municipalities and emergency response agencies to work together when an incident extends beyond the capacity of a single community.

This is the first major event for this REMO, and it has demonstrated the value of regional coordination. All four entities have been working together, alongside provincial partners and first responders, to support residents throughout the region.  This response is ongoing.

REMO Response

As the weather events unfolded, a Joint Operations Centre was established in Port Hawkesbury, bringing together representatives from Inverness, Victoria and Richmond Counties and the Town of Port Hawkesbury. With guidance and support from the Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management, the REMO has been working closely with the RCMP, EHS, local fire departments and the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works.

A support telephone line opened September 6 to provide residents with a central point of contact to report non-emergency issues and concerns related to the current emergency situation. Approximately 50 calls have been received to date, including requests for medical assistance, questions about emergency response capabilities and reports of road conditions.

We want to be very clear with residents: police, fire and ambulance services remain available to respond to 911 calls. If a resident cannot be reached because of a road closure, washout or blocked driveway, emergency responders have additional resources available, including helicopters and specialized equipment, where required.

Next steps

The REMO will continue to work closely with provincial partners and consider their recommendations as decisions are made regarding the State of Local Emergency and the ongoing response.

Residents are encouraged to visit their 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.

We recognize the uncertainty and disruption residents are experiencing, and we thank everyone for their patience, cooperation and understanding.