Emergency Dike along the Coldwater River (Image credit: CFJC Today/File photo).

By Michael Reeve

Merritt Flood Recovery

Merritt lists lack of funding for inability to implement flood mitigation plan

Nov 15, 2023 | 5:07 AM

MERRITT B.C. — Nearly two years after an Atmospheric River caused devastating flooding and a mass evacuation from the city of Merritt some residents remain out of their homes. In a flood recovery update posted to their website, the city states that 30-40 single-family homes or apartments have not yet been rebuilt. In addition, 23 households are still receiving assistance from the Red Cross.

“I am proud to witness the resiliency of this community. Almost everyone has returned and is working to make the City of Merritt a great place to live. While I might still witness a few scars, much of what was destroyed is being rebuilt and is looking better than ever. We still have a long ways to go as we rebuild our Middlesboro bridge and seek the funding to replace our entire dike system. But we are all working hard and celebrate our successes in recovery to date. We look forward to the day that recovery is a distant memory and we can again embrace the tranquil, idealic life of Merritt,” wrote Mayor Mike Goetz.

The update plainly calls out a lack of funding for the city’s inability to ‘implement its full flood mitigation plan.’

“While the City of Merritt has been quite fortunate, receiving repeated financial support from the Province of BC, much more needs to be done. In terms of infrastructure, the City’s Middlesboro Bridge on Voght Street is scheduled to be rebuilt in 2024 thanks to $9.6 million in funding from the Province in BC. In addition, portions of dike (at the sewage treatment plant and another upstream at the Claybanks RV Park) are also set to be rebuilt with $4 million in funding from the Province of BC. However, the City has only received a fraction of the required $109 million necessary to complete its Flood Mitigation Plan to protect the community from a similar disaster,” reads the update.

One of the biggest challenges listed is the need to buy-out properties or portions of land to properly build a new dike.

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“The City has identified 32 properties for full or partial buyouts to accommodate the proposed dike. The City is lobbying for government funding to buy these lands at an equitable sum,” continued the report.

Prior to the November 2021 flood, approximately 130 properties fell within the flood plan, now that number sits at 1,274.

“Another challenge for some residents who are rebuilding is that meeting BC’s building code is significantly more challenging for certain properties that are now in a new flood zone,” reads the report.