Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Amandalina Letterio

COLDWATER FLOOD

‘It’s a little nerve wracking’: another flood warning issued for Coldwater River

Dec 1, 2021 | 3:39 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Another flood warning has been issued for the Coldwater River as a third atmospheric river is headed toward the Coquihalla Highway between Merritt and Hope.

Merritt Information Officer Alan Stebbing says the water level has already started to rise.

“Normally, we’d be looking at five or 10 cubic metres and we’re already at 60,” Stebbing said.

The City had plans to let the final wave of residents back into Merritt on Friday (Dec. 3). Now, those Phase Four residents might be put on hold because their properties are the ones that could be most affected by another flood.

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“Staff at the emergency operations centre is monitoring all the information that’s coming in from the water gauges. As well as having field observers out watching the river to make sure it doesn’t impact the flood defenses we have in place,” he explained.

Still ingesting the devastation from the first flood, Merritt residents are feeling nervous about the possibility of another one.

On Wednesday (Dec. 1), a Merritt man told CFJC News that he will be keeping an evacuation bag packed “in case [he’s] got to just get up and leave.”

“It’s a little nerve wracking for my friends and family who live close to the river,” another resident said.

The Canadian Armed Forces has been sent in to help mitigate flood defense. Fifty soldiers are helping the city prepare for any potential flooding.

“Specifically, soldiers are working on flood barriers alongside teams from the City and heavy equipment that has brought in to reinforce key areas of the river,” said Major Gordon Elliott, officer commanding of immediate response company in Merritt.

While the City and the army remain vigilant, the community has stepped in to help Merritt residents get back on their feet. The City set up a free grocery and essential supplies shop at Crossroads Community Church where volunteers receive and sort donations sent in from across the province.

“We have another truck coming in with this much material on the 8^th, and we’ve just had trucks coming in and out every day,” Crossroads Community Church Pastor Jim Caruso said.

The City hopes that in the coming days the flood warning will lift and Phase Four residents can grab their groceries and head home for day access, too.

“The goal for Phase Four is to allow people back for Friday, Dec. 3rd — but of course, it depends on what happens in the next 24 hours with flooding,” Stebbing said. “If we can keep the river in its channel, then that is the goal, to open it up for Friday.”

And if the river stays in its channel, the City of Merritt says it will begin to recover and rebuild.