Merritt flood evacuees begin return home on Wednesday

For the first time in a week, some people who live in Merritt will be allowed back into the flood-ravaged community to check on their properties and survey damage.

Re-entry will begin as of noon Tuesday, as the evacuation order is rescinded in phases. This comes days after more than 7,000 residents were forced to flee because of rising water levels and infrastructure impacts.

However, Mayor Linda Brown says it will take several more days until everyone can return.

“These have been incredibly trying and tragic times. I am incredibly proud of the work that has been done to bring people home, but we should never lose sight of how our friends, our families, colleagues, and neighbours have lost everything, swept down the mighty Coldwater River,” she said in a video posted online.

While some people will be returning, Brown says things will not be as they may remember.

“What you are coming home to is a city that’s changed,” the mayor told residents. “You will be on a boil-water advisory, because the health officials tell us the water is not safe to drink. You will be asked to put as little sewage as possible down the drains, as we cannot process it. You will be asked to use as little water as possible to preserve supplies for the fire department, and you will not have an operational hospitals.”

She adds anyone with an emergency will need to call 9-1-1 and be transferred to Kamloops.

Garbage collection and recycling is expected to resume next week, and Hydro and gas services have already been restored. Some roadblocks will remain in place for the time being.

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Related articles: 

• People in evacuated Merritt urged to stay in after dark

• Some Merritt flood evacuees still waiting for province’s help, city plans for return

• People in Merritt to survey flood damage days after city evacuated

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Though the evacuation order is slowly being phased out, Brown notes there are some areas where access remains prohibited due to safety concerns.

“We will get through this together and I cannot wait to welcome you back to your home in Merritt,” Brown concluded, adding, “Stay safe, be kind.”

Merritt’s “return home plan” is being brought in in three phases, broken down by geographical areas.

People who are returning are being asked to bring with them 72-hours worth of essentials.

-With files from Kurtis Doering, Lasia Kretzel, and Lisa Steacy