Hope couple opens doors to family affected by floods

A couple in Hope opening their home to a family in need is one of many examples of community coming together amid the chaos of flooding in B.C.

Linda and John Evans took in a family of four who had been affected by rising waters and mudslides across the southern part of the province.

Linda explains their neighbours initially gave them the idea, as they were also housing families in need this week. It didn’t take much for Linda and John to say, “well, we’ve got room in our house.”

Soon after they put the word out, a couple and their kids — aged 7 and 12 — moved in.

“We have had the wonderful pleasure of hosting them,” Linda tells CityNews. “We’ve developed a real good friendship already. So the blessing was really ours.”

Linda says she and her husband opening up their home and hearts to people in need is nothing new. But living through this recent disaster, she says, “heaven knows in times like these, there needs to be some love showing around.”

Linda emphasizes the family can stay “as long as they want,” adding there are extra beds and even a playroom for the kids in the Evans home.

Related Stories: 

• Locals coming to rescue of those stranded by B.C. storm

• Surrey volunteers prep 3,000 meals to deliver to Hope by helicopter

• Sikh relief organization offers aid across flood-ravaged B.C.

• How to help British Columbians impacted by floods, mudslides

The Evans couple is even inviting friends of the family they’re hosting to stay as well.

“They have a few other friends that are here. We’ve been trying to convince them to come, we’ve got room … for four more people … So we keep trying to convince them, but they say the car is comfortable. They’ll come here and shower and maybe eat.”

Since the weather crisis, many British Columbians have responded with kindness, offering shelter, food, clothes, and even donating whatever money they can to help those who have been affected by flooding and mudslides.

– With files from Tarnjit Parmar