Last weekend, a torrential rainstorm in rural Nova Scotia resulted in the tragic loss of young lives. Natalie Harnish and Colton Sisco, both six years old, along with Nicholas Holland, lost their lives while fleeing their homes during the devastating rainstorm.
Natalie Harnish was remembered in her obituary as a vibrant and adventurous little girl who loved colorful clothing and pretending to be a princess. She cherished family trips to the Oaklawn Zoo, especially her encounters with her favorite animal, Blueberry the bear. Her absence leaves a void in the lives of those she touched, and a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support her grieving family, raising nearly $100,000.
Similarly, Colton Sisco, the other six-year-old victim, was remembered fondly in his obituary. He had a joyful spirit, enjoyed playing with his big brother, snuggling with his mom, and attending car shows with his dad. The community rallied around Colton’s family, with a GoFundMe campaign raising nearly $32,000 to assist them during this difficult time.
Nicholas Anthony Holland, a local musician, was also identified as one of the victims of the floods. Known for his lifelong passion for music, he played in several bands over the years. Tragically, Nicholas lost his life while trying to escape the floodwater, leaving behind a partner and two children. The community expressed gratitude to the search and rescue teams, citizens, and Holland’s bandmates for their relentless efforts to find him.
A young person who was traveling with Nicholas Holland remains missing, with efforts continuing to locate them. The floods were so severe that they submerged the vehicle in which Colton Sisco and Natalie Harnish were traveling with others. Fortunately, three people in the truck were rescued.
Halifax officials categorized the rainstorm as a once-in-a-thousand-year event, resulting in extensive damage to roads and bridges across the province. The floodwaters have significantly receded, but the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
As the search for the missing youth continues into the weekend, around 70 people, including first responders and volunteers, are involved in the search. The primary search area has been drained of water, and efforts are ongoing to drain the secondary search area. The tertiary search zone along the shore from Halls Harbour to Brooklyn and from Maitland to Brooklyn is being primarily searched by air, focusing on the edges of the river systems that flow into the Minas Basin.
The loss of these young lives and the impact of the rainstorm have deeply affected the community, and their memories will forever be cherished by those who knew them.
