After lifting the evacuation order on 204 residences, the City of Merritt is focused on continuing to support those still displaced from their homes and looks to bring them all home by the 1st of September.
Since announcing the lifting of these orders, fears in the community regarding the continuity of support and livability of properties for those previously under order but still currently displaced have been brought to the City’s attention.
“It’s actually a good thing,” said Greg Solecki, Recovery Manager for the City, looking to address residents’ concerns. “What it’s done is allowed people to come back to their homes anytime they need to, to do any repairs, without restrictions.”
An information bulletin released by the City on April 19 goes on to state that “the evacuation list is not intended to determine or denote whether your house is livable. It is strictly focused on the access you are permitted to have to your home, based on whether utilities are available to your property and if emergency and municipal services, such as garbage collection, can reach you, as necessary.”
The entire city was placed on evacuation order on November 15, 2021, when the Coldwater River breached its banks and caused the devastation that is still very much visible throughout the community. The orders have slowly been repealed during the past five months of flood recovery efforts, but support continues to be offered to flood affected residents on a case-by-case rather than address-by-address basis.
While a majority of orders have been lifted, 66 properties are all that remain on order. Mostly due to safety concerns, lack of utilities, and no access, these homes will remain ordered out for the time being. Solecki went on to mention that the City does have a goal for returning all displaced residents to their home by September 1 of this year.
“Our main objective is to bring everyone home by September 1. We are focusing on maintaining communication with all the homeowners at the support centre, at Red Cross, and with volunteer organizations so that they can come home.”
Those looking for information, or for support, should contact the Merritt Support Centre at 1700 Garcia Street, call 1-877-655-0341, or email [email protected].
