Tyson McEwan from McEwans Towing in Havre Boucher, located near the Canso Causeway in Antigonish County, had a busy weekend rescuing approximately 20 vehicles due to the heavy rainfall. When the storm hit, McEwan was in Halifax, and upon returning home, he was inundated with calls for assistance. Cape Breton experienced the most significant impact from the downpour, with over 200 millimetres of rain in some areas. Tragically, one individual was discovered deceased in a flooded zone near Cleveland, N.S.
Despite the focus on Cape Breton, the mainland also faced substantial rainfall. One of McEwan’s notable rescues took place in St. Francis Harbour, Guysborough County, where a driver misjudged the depth of water on Carr Road and ended up submerged in Porper Pond. McEwan, with six years of towing experience in Nova Scotia, described the conditions as unprecedented. The challenging rescue operation required navigating through multiple road washouts and driving under hazardous conditions due to the severe weather.
McEwan emphasized the difficulties faced during the rescue, including battling high winds and compromised road infrastructure, which forced him to take alternate routes for safety. This weekend’s extreme weather tested the limits of his towing expertise like never before.