Rain's aftermath still wreaking havoc across P.E.I.
Record-setting rainfall, wind caused flooding, bridge washouts and school cancellations
Many P.E.I. communities are still contending with the aftermath of the heavy rain and wind that battered the Island Wednesday and early Thursday.
About 25 detours are in place because of flooding and washouts.
Darren Chaisson, director of highway maintenance for the Department of Transportation and Public Works, says the assessment of damage has begun.
"And just with the time of year, it's going to be difficult to get construction materials. We're in the winter mode right now, we're ready to start plowing, but contractors across the Island will be giving us a hand, that's for sure," said Chaisson.
RCMP were travelling the roads this morning.
Travelling in Queens County is "not good," said RCMP Cst. Jamie Parsons on Twitter. "Roads water-covered in most places and flooded in other areas. Traffic moving very slow."
The Westisle family of schools are closed, as is École Pierre-Chiasson in Deblois.
All other schools in both the French and English Language School Boards opened on a one-hour delay.
Holland College's West Prince campus in Alberton is also closed for the day.
Record-setting rainfall Wednesday
CBC meteorologist Peter Coade says about five more millimetres of rain is expected tonight and a further five to 10 millimetres Friday. High will be near 8 C.
"The region will remain under the influence of a large area of low pressure right through the weekend," said Coade. "While this will translate into mostly cloudy conditions with the chance of showers and/or flurries, temperatures will remain above the normal for mid-December."
No power outages are reported on the Island right now and flights at the Charlottetown Airport are on time.
Shortly after 5:00 a.m., the Confederation Bridge lifted a restriction on high-sided vehicles that was put in place Wednesday.
Northumberland Ferries cancelled its first two crossings of the day.
Wednesday's rainfall was record setting, with Environment Canada reporting 65.4 millimetres of rain at Charlottetown Airport, easily breaking the previous record of 35.3 millimetres set in 1953.