Rainfall warnings blanket flood-ravaged parts of N.S. as recovery continues

Much of Nova Scotia is in for another bout of heavy rain as communities continue to rebuild and repair washed-out bridges and roads after last week's deluge.

Environment Canada has Antigonish County, Guysborough County and all of Cape Breton Island under rainfall warnings with 30 millimetres to 50 millimetres expected to fall through Monday night. 

"Unfortunately the heaviest rain is looking set to fall across the eastern mainland and Cape Breton, where local amounts could exceed 50 millimetres by Tuesday morning," said CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon.

Areas of Nova Scotia along the Atlantic coast, from Queens County and eastward, as well as northern Nova Scotia are under a special weather statement with total rainfall amounts of 20 millimetres to 40 millimetres expected by Tuesday. The rain is expected to start in the west Monday morning and move eastward.

"As the rain arrives on Monday morning, there is a chance for a few hours of snow for the Colchester/Cumberland regions, especially higher terrain areas where we could see five to 10 centimetres," said Snoddon.

"There's also a risk of a few hours of freezing rain for inland areas of Nova Scotia, mainly across central areas."

In addition to the rain, Inverness County is under a wind warning with Les Suêtes wind gusts as high as 120 km/h expected early Monday evening until near midnight, according to Environment Canada. 

The weather is also postponing the start of the lobster fishing season in southwestern Nova Scotia. Canada's largest and most lucrative lobster fishery was supposed to get underway Monday morning but the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said it will consult with fishermen Monday afternoon to discuss if conditions are favourable to start Tuesday.