Merritt receives preparedness fund to help with flood recovery

MERRITT – 49 First Nations and local governments throughout the province, including Merritt, were awarded with funding to help reduce risks from future disasters related to natural hazards and climate change.

“The climate crisis will continue to increase the risk of natural disasters in British Columbia over the years ahead. Local governments and First Nations are important partners in ensuring that communities are prepared for what will come and we’re taking action to support them in this critical work,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “The projects enabled by this funding will make a big difference for First Nations and communities throughout B.C. in their efforts to keep lives and livelihoods safe from potential disasters.”

Merritt is receiving $2 million to be put towards a new dike on the Coldwater River.

This funding can be put towards:

• Risk mapping
• Risk assessments
• Risk planning
• Land-use planning
• Purchasing equipment
• Delivering community education
• Small-scale structural projects

Other projects around B.C. that will be getting help through this fund includes:

• Designing upgrades for the Chilliwack Creek drainage pump station
• Climate and disaster risk assessment for T’lat’lasik’wala First Nations
• Misting stations to keep people cool during extreme heat in Victoria
• Dike-breach modelling in Squamish.

In total, there is $23.4 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) to support communities better prepare for future incidents.