Cape Breton Island Travel Update

Last updated: Saturday, September 5, 2026 as of 12:30 pm

Current Situation

Cape Breton Island is under an Environment Canada Orange rainfall warning, with 100 to 200 mm of rain and high winds expected through Monday morning. Localized flooding has been reported in parts of the Island.

Route and Access Information

Skyline Trail: closed September 5, 2026 due to high winds and rain

McCurdy Sydney Airport - Due to significant rainfall across Cape Breton and with rain expected to continue into Monday, passengers travelling through the McCurdy Sydney Airport are encouraged to check their flight status directly with their airline before departing for the airport.

Ferries: Englishtown, Service Suspended (weather).

Little Narrows Ferry is back in service.

Marine Atlantic - ferry crossings between North Sydney and Port aux Basques are cancelled for Saturday, September 5.

Highway conditions: 

Richmond County
8104 Trk 4 in River Bourgeois is closed due to flooding.

Flooding on HWY-4 Both Directions - Near Northside River Bourgeois Rd (km 319). All lanes closed.

Flooding on HWY-104 from Basin Rd (km 293) to Sporting MTN. Rd. (km 315). All lanes closed.
West Bay Rd near Civic #3741 is closed due to a road washout.

Victoria County
RTE 223 is closed from the Little Narrows Ferry to Iona due to localized flooding in various locations until further notice. Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

The following roads are CLOSED because of flooding: Barra Glen Road, Jimmie Gillis Road, Dunn Road, Red Point Road, John Neil George Road, St Columba Road, Fraser Road and Washabuck Road.

The Cabot Trail at the Ingonish Marina just before Ski Cape Smokey is currently flooded but passable at this time. Please use caution if you are travelling in the area.

Inverness County

Big Brook Rd is closed until further notice due to a washed-out bridge. Road is closed between Big Brook and the River Denys Rd.

Orangedale Rd is closed due to a washout between Ashfield Rd and Hwy 105.

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Public Works and Police are advising motorists to avoid driving through flooded streets. Several streets are not passable. Closed streets include Townsend, Brookland, Royal, Cabot, Mackenzie, Morrison and Essex. In Glace Bay, areas of Reserve St, Brookside, Highland, Union and Water St. are experiencing flooding.

Town of Port Hawkesbury

Prince Street in Port Hawkesbury is closed between Embree Street & McSween Street is closed due to a downed tree

Comfort Centre Openings

The following places are open as comfort centres for residents and visitors who may need a place to stay warm, charge devices or access support:

St. George’s Channel Hall, St. Peter’s - 3363 West Bay Highway, St. George's Channel, NS, B0E 3K0

Riverdale Community Centre - Lower River Inhabitants, Port Hawkesbury, NS B0E 2V0

Operator Closures

Due to the ongoing heavy rainfall, local flooding, and high winds. Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum in Iona is closed effective immediately and until further notice.

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site - Please be advised that Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail and Kennington Cove Road will be closed for the remainder of the day due to deteriorating weather conditions.

Old Sydney Society - All three sites are closed today due to the weather. That's the Sydney Museum, Cossit House, and St. Patrick's Church Museum. 

Marble Mountain Estates - closed for the day. 

Emergency Contact Information

Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office: 1-800-670-4357 

511 Nova Scotia (live road conditions): 511.novascotia.ca/region/Cape Breton 

Government of Nova Scotia emergency alerts: novascotia.ca/alerts
Parks Canada (Cape Breton Highlands): 1-877-852-3100

Nova Scotia Power Outage Map: https://outagemap.nspower.ca/external/default.html

Please follow the directions of emergency officials at all times. This advisory will be updated as conditions change.