(Submitted/Cody Harris).

By Dylana Kneeshaw

EVACUATION ORDER

Entire City of Merritt placed on evacuation order as flooding spreads

Nov 15, 2021 | 10:41 AM

UPDATE (3:30 p.m.): As of 4 p.m. Monday (Nov. 15), access into the City of Merritt will be prohibited.

Barricades will be erected on Voght Street at the city’s northern junction of Highway 5, on Coldwater Road at the entrance from the southern junction of Highway 5, and on Highway 8 at the western entrance to Merritt. The barricades will be manned by personnel including RCMP who will ensure that nobody enters the city.

The City says if people out of town need to collect friends, family, or possessions that are not currently in a flooded area, they should be in Merritt and leaving again before 4 p.m.

The City announced Monday afternoon that it’s due to the ongoing flooding situation, and the flooding of the wastewater treatment plant.

Additionally, the City will shut off its water due to contamination from the flooding. Merritt’s water is undrinkable, even if boiled, and the City strongly urges residents no to consume any water.

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The City asks residents to only make calls from within the city if they are essential for facilitating evacuation. The City states competition on the network is leading to failed calls for coordinating emergency response.

EARLIER: MERRITT — Due to ongoing flooding issues, the City of Merritt upgraded its evacuation order to include the entire municipality.

The City says flood waters have now inundated two bridges across from the Coldwater River and are preventing access to the third. Flooding has also rendered the Wastewater Treatment Plant inoperable for an indefinite period of time.

Residents with friends or family outside of Merritt are being told to make plans to stay with them or evacuate to that location.

Anyone that doesn’t have a place to stay is asked to go to Kamloops or Kelowna ESS Reception Centres. Residents of odd-numbered houses are being told to head to Kamloops, while residents of even numbered houses are asked to go to Kelowna.

The Kamloops ESS Reception Centre is located at McArthur Island (1655 Island Parkway). Directions: proceed North on Highway 5.

The Kelowna ESS Reception Centre is located at 1480 Sutherland Avenue. Directions: take highway 97C East to Kelowna.

Evacuees can also register online or contact 1-800-585-9559 for more information.

“Merritt is and will remain strong. At this time, we need everyone to proceed in a calm and orderly manner to safe locations in nearby cities,” Mayor Linda Brown states, “For your own safety, you must now leave Merritt, for the time being. Please, offer help to your friends, families, and neighbours, drive safely, and take care of yourselves. We will meet each other again, in our homes, where we belong.”

The City says a Muster Point has been established at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (2075 Mamette Ave.), for bus evacuation services for individuals with mobility issues and those without access to vehicles.

The City of Merritt has also requested that all gas stations remain open for residents leaving the city.