EVACUATION ORDERS ISSUED

Nov 15, 2021 | 1:47 AM Vern Strecheniuk

UPDATE 4-

#Breaking – The @CityofMerritt’s waste water system has FAILED. All residents must immediately cease ALL water consumption. Anything that goes down a drain must STOP NOW.
More to come

Update 3 –

The City of Merritt has issued this Media Statement for immediate release.

The entirety of Collettville is being evacuated due to the rising flood waters.

Main Street and Voght Street bridges are inundated with water and should not be used for any purpose. Houston Street is threatened with water and therefore the only route into or out of Collettville is at risk. If this road is lost then it will not be possible for anyone to get in or out of Collettville except by helicopter. As such, all residents must evacuate Collettville.

All residents must evacuate Collettville. This Order will be enforced by the RCMP. Please proceed north to Kamloops on Highway 5 and register with Kamloops Emergency Support Services located at McArthur Island (1655 Island Parkway).

Update 2 –

Note from City of Merritt senior staff, “we are planning to issue evacuation order for all of Collettville, and an Alert for the whole City as it is now highly likely we will lose the ability to process raw sewage in Merritt. You’ll have the details soon.”

UPDATE 1 –

ALL CITY OF MERRITT RESIDENTS ASKED STOP ALL NON-ESSENTIAL WATER USE DUE TO ISSUES AT THE PUBLIC WORKS YARD.

The Evacuation orders have been expanded to include all properties in the highlighted area below.

EARLIER:

The City of Merritt has issued an EVACUATION ORDER for properties within the 200-year floodplain.

Maps are currently being created to help residents that are unsure of their property’s proximity to the floodplain.

Those in Spring Island Trailer Park are being advised to EVACUATE immediately.

RCMP, SAR, and volunteers are door-knocking to alert affected residents.

Evacuees are asked to stay with friends if possible, ESS will be set up at the Civic Centre, however there will not be room for everybody in group lodging.

Floodplain shown below.