B.C. flood and fire evacuees find shelter at Camp Hope

Camp Hope is a faith-based site which typically hosts summer programs for kids, but has been a makeshift evacuation centre since the summer.

The camp was credited with helping hundreds of stranded travellers two weeks ago when several B.C. highways shut down due to an unprecedented rain storm.

Motorists were stranded on Highway 7, many without food or water, until a van from the camp came and picked them up.

Director Bill Gerber isn’t showing the exhaustion when he speaks about his efforts to help during a time in crisis.

He and his team have been feeding, clothing, and supporting those impacted by disasters for months, starting in July when the town of Lytton burned to the ground.

The camp has housed some 20 evacuees since, who lost everything when their community was destroyed, and now have nowhere else to go.

He says despite dealing with their own trauma, Lytton evacuees jumped to help when 250 stranded travellers suddenly needed a place to stay.

Gerber says above all else, they were able to empathize with those who are left feeling scared, confused, and helpless.

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“They just went out of the way to help us, and the extra hands were definitely appreciated,” he said, adding one woman even collected toys for all the children to play with as they waited for the highway to reopen.

Those people have since been able to get home, but the camp is bracing to help more if the heavy rains force more from their homes.

“It’s heartwarming to be able help strangers, but even more heartwarming to help your neighbours,” Gerber said.

“We are ready to go. If they come we will be happy to host them, feed them, encourage them, and be their home away from home.”

The situation is very familiar, as nearly all the highways in and out of Hope are blocked again as of Monday morning.

Only Highway 7 is open, but that could change at a moment’s notice, leaving Hope without vital goods and services.

“We are hoping we should have plenty of food to go on but we are right in the mountains,” Gerber said. “Hope is pretty small, the resources are not a lot. So if we get cut off completely, there’s two groceries stores and not a huge supply.”

He worries more about the power going down again, like it did during the first storm, and losing cell service, which makes the isolation feel even worse.

All eyes remain on Tuesday. A special weather statement has been issued for the region, and heavy rains in the form of another atmospheric river are expected.

Gerber says despite any concerns, they know they won’t turn anyone away if they need help.

But knowing another storm is on the way is emotionally draining considering it’s just another delay for the Lytton evacuees in rebuilding their village.

“It’s got to be tough for them because with roads closed and all these other evacuations going on, they must realize that supplies going up to Lytton, they can’t go there. This just puts the reconstruction of Lytton and the reconstruction of their homes further on the backburner,” he said.

“How are the work crews going to reach their work site? How’s the supply gonna get there?”

He says no matter what, they will not be left in the cold.

“It’s not home but we will do our best to keep them warm and dry and fed,” Gerber said.