Kamloops mayor reassures evacuees: “We will support the citizens of Merritt for as long as it takes”

“I don’t know what we’re going to do or where we’re going to go. They said to wait for another phone call,” said Morin.

“I understand that they have a lot to deal with, but they were not ready. They were not prepared for any of this.”

She’s one of 8,000 Merritt residents are feeling displaced after the Coldwater River burst its banks flooding the entire city. Many of them left on a whim with only the clothes on their backs.

“My pets are there, I don’t know what I’m going to do about them. I only packed a small amount of things thinking that we were going to be back within two or three days,” Morin explained.

“I don’t have any clothes for my baby and my son’s birthday is tomorrow and all his presents are at home.”

Around 2,500 evacuees have come to Kamloops — which is now full. The overflow is being sent to Sun Peaks, Salmon Arm and Kelowna.

Evacuees are given money for food, clothing, lodging and incidentals.

The City says Emergency Management BC’s (EMBC) next voucher extension will be for seven days. EMBC will continue to fund these supports until residents can return home, and Kamloops will continue to help.

“We will support the citizens of Merritt for as long as it takes. That’s what we do here in Kamloops. We’re called upon time after time to activate emergency support services and we do it,” said Ken Christian, mayor of Kamloops.

Mayor Christian says Kamloops will go above and beyond to ensure Merritt residents feel welcome and safe, which has been displayed at the MacArthur Island reception centre.

“We did find it necessary on Monday night to provide cots into that space. We put 100 cots up and we housed people who were otherwise in their cars in the parking lot,” said Christian.

Merritt resident Ted Wiley says he has found the emergency support services helpful.

“We’re making it. It’s a little tight at times, and having to be away from home and that…” said Wiley.

“The place that we’re staying is a real good place, nice place.”

The City of Merritt remains under water, with a broken sewage system. There is no end in sight to the evacuation.

“I don’t know that I can live with my three kids in a hotel room for a month off of what I’ve got,” she said.

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NOTE FROM CITY OF MERRITT:

There are a number of pets and family members who were left in Merritt when the evacuation happened on Monday November 15th.

If people want to retrieve pets and family members, they can come to the barricades on Highway 8, Highway 5 (Exit 290) and Coldwater Road/Highway 8, during daylight hours (approximately 8am to 5pm), and enter the City of Merritt under escort. Waiting times may exceed three hours.

If people enter the City of Merritt under this provision, they must leave the City with the pet or family member that they intended to retrieve, which will also be under escort. Entering to provide provisions for pets or family members who remain is not permitted. This will be enforced by RCMP.

by Amandalina Letterio

Kamloops mayor reassures evacuees: “We will support the citizens of Merritt for as long as it takes”

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