Evacuation order expected to last more than a week

The City of Merritt has released the following update in the evacuation and flooding situation.

“As we continue to closely monitor the flooding in Merritt, we understand how essential it is to inform our residents on the current situation of their community.

“We anticipate this Evacuation Order will remain in place for likely more than a week. Although the flood waters have rescinded, there is still significant danger and damage that is being caused by the flooding.

Items that the City of Merritt is working extremely diligently on:

• The security of our municipality
• Supporting rescue efforts of residents
• Identification and planning of infrastructure (turning on water and wastewater at the earliest opportunity)
• Infrastructure damage review

“As new discoveries unfold, we will continue to inform our residents on the status of their community.

“If there are residents who have not yet evacuated, we have a bus leaving from the Merritt ESS Centre (1950 Mamette Avenue) at approximately noon today. If evacuees are billeting outside of the ESS Centre’s in Kamloops and Kelowna, please register online https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ or contact 1-800-585-9559 for more information.