Nova Scotia storm preparations urged for rainfall

It's going to be a wet and windy few days, prompting Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office to offer a few tips to ward off any disaster.

• Maritime weather bringing rain, strong wind, some snow

Meteorologists are warning about heavy downpours that can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.

The highest rainfall amounts are anticipated to be in the western areas of mainland Nova Scotia. The Annapolis Valley and South Shore could get 60 mm to 100 mm of rain by Wednesday night.

Strong wind warnings of up to 100 km/h have also been issued for Yarmouth, Shelburne and Inverness counties on Wednesday.

"Some Maritimers are going to need an ark tomorrow, that's for sure," said CBC meteorologist Peter Coade.

The Emergency Management Office is encouraging people to be ready for at least the first 72 hours in an emergency.

"We think in Nova Scotia that we get a lot of weather here and we think that we're prepared for it but sometimes there's a lot of flooding and it catches people off guard," said Tracy Barron, a spokeswoman for EMO.

"They realize that they could have done a little bit more to prepare."

For the upcoming storm, Barron urges people to:

• Clean out storm drains to avoid flooding.
• Follow local updates. Click here for a list of Twitter accounts to follow during a storm. 
• Adjust to driving conditions to avoid hydroplaning.
• Use caution around any fast moving waterways and low lying areas over the next few days.

"People could have their basements flooded. Of course the streets and roads that can be an issue if there are washouts and hydroplaning as well," Barron said.

In case of power outages, EMO suggests preparing an emergency kit with:

• Water.
• Canned food (with a manual can opener).
• Cash.
• Battery-powered or wind-up flashlight.
• First aid kit.
• Medications and infant formula if needed and any items a family member with a disability would need.
• Battery-powered radio. We suggest tuning in to CBC.