Nearly 1,000 evacuees spend night in Kamloops hotels, shelter could be extended to seven days

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Chief Administrative Officer David Trawin updated the city’s Emergency Support Services (ESS) situation with Merritt evacuees during Tuesday’s (Nov. 16) council meeting.

Between 2,000 to 2,500 people went through ESS doors at McArthur Island since Monday morning (Nov. 15). ESS accommodated 300 files, meaning 966 evacuees were able to stay in hotels in Kamloops and Sun Peaks.

Those who were able to drive and couldn’t get accommodation in Kamloops were given $50 gas cards and travelled to Salmon Arm.

According to Trawin, approximately 120 people slept on cots and were fed by the Salvation Army. A bus transported the 120 evacuees to Kelowna for accommodation.

Evacuees were given 72 hours worth of shelter and food vouchers, but Trawin says given the length of time Merritt is expected to be evacuated, it could be extended to seven days.