Merritt considering house buyouts as part of flood recovery

As the City of Merritt begins to look toward flood recovery and what the Merritt of the future will look like, City Officials are discussing the possibility of buying out homes along the floodplain.

“Looking at how we can be more flood resilient in the future. This will include some very difficult discussions about what our floodplain needs to look like in the future,” said CAO Sean Smith. “This may include for those most low-lying areas discussions about managed retreat from the floodplain, buyouts and where theses folks may be able to relocate to.”

Along with those discussions, the City is also investigating improved and sustainable diking.

“Structure that is going to be sustainable, something that we be able to sustain higher quantities of water, be able to handle the increased severity and frequency of events we are having with climate change,” added Smith.

The work being done along the River is being done in partnership with local first nation communities both up and downstream from Merritt.

A member of the public did address the buyout idea, stating that a decision should be made soon from City Hall to avoid homeowner pouring effort into a house that will be sold off and demolished.

More to come