(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

FLOOD AND FIRE PREVENTION

Mitigation work underway in Merritt ahead of potential flood and fire seasons

Mar 11, 2020 | 4:27 PM

MERRITT — The City of Merritt is planning to utilize new provincial funding to stay ahead of potential spring floods and summer fires this year.

The latest snowpack measurements are showing normal levels in the Nicola Valley and Merritt area, which Merritt CAO Scott Hildebrand says will complement ongoing prevention efforts.

“We were able to get a flood mitigation grant for $750,000 that’ll actually do some mitigation work right here at [Memorial Park],” he says. “It’s going to raise Voght Street. It’s going to redirect the river slightly and make sure that it’s protected so we don’t have the issues that we had back in 2017/2018.”

Hildebrand says other flood restoration projects are still underway, working to repair what was damaged in the last significant flood season.

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He adds that the city has been keeping an eye on current water levels, and so far the area is in good shape.

“I would say it’s normal right now, and that’s what we’re anticipating. But given the recent weather and that can change over the next few months, we’re always preparing for the worst and making sure we have plans in place to ensure that our emergency preparedness and emergency plans are up to standard.”

Hildebrand says another $116,000 grant will also be used by the city for wildfire prevention ahead of the typically dry summer season.

“That is something that we’re just working on right now, but it’d be fuel management all through the city and the regional area,” he explains. “Up on The Bench, that’s right directly behind us, and we’re just protecting our properties, and making sure the city is in a good spot.”

“We’re looking at all angles, whether it’s flooding, drought, or fires, we’ve just got to make sure that we’re prepared in the City of Merritt.”