Flooding in Merritt, Nov. 16 (Image Credit: Greg Lowis / City of Merritt)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

RETURN TO MERRITT

Interior Health reminding returning Merritt residents to stay out of flood waters, follow safety notices

Nov 24, 2021 | 4:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — This week, the first phase of the City of Merritt’s return plan began, with residents living north of the RCMP detachment now allowed to come home.

However, the sewage system isn’t fully back online yet, the tap water isn’t fit to drink, and the hospital is not yet running.

Interior Health (IH) is asking residents who do return to pay attention to safety notices. People are urged to inspect their homes for mould, make sure home septic systems and gas lines aren’t compromised, and avoid trudging through any flood waters.

“Usually they’re muddy, you can’t see down and see any hazards underneath there,” IH Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton says. “You don’t know what’s in that water. It’s often contaminated with sewage and it’s unsafe. So if you see any flood water, stay out of there.”

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Along with clean drinking water and sewage processing, many other services in Merritt are not fully operational yet. Including the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre — which remains closed until Monday (Nov. 29).

“If you’re going back just be aware that those services are not going to be available, and so if you have an unstable medical condition, maybe wait and stay closer to services,” she says.

An update from Merritt officials around Phase Two of the return plan is expected by Thursday (Nov. 25).