The City of Merritt will receive $329,000 in flood mitigation funding from the provincial government, a move both parties are hopeful will better prepare the community for future freshets and weather events.
In response to the November floods, the funding provided by the Province will allow Merritt to conduct hydrotechnical assessments, resulting in the development of both short and long-term flood mitigation plans. Mayor Linda Brown says work has been ongoing, and hopes to use these plans to apply for further funding, allowing the City to take action on these plans and mitigate future disasters.
“Shortly after the emergency, the city began work on long-term flood-mitigation planning, modelling and dike design,” said Brown.
“The funds provided by the Province will cover the costs of creating a detailed flood-mitigation plan that we expect to be complete by June. This plan will then be used to support an application to the federal government in July for funds to complete the work set out in that plan.”
Brown added that the City’s goal for the project is the continued protection of the community and river ecosystems. There may even be room for recreational trail opportunities along any potential diking systems the City may implement.
Hundreds of Merrittonians remain displaced from their homes from November’s flooding, the physical and emotional effects of which are still very much present throughout the community. Temporary housing relief for those displaced is coming by way of the $24 million in funding received mid-April, with this latest additional funding looking to increase long-term resilience.
Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness, Jennifer Rice, says that the funding provided is a part of the province’s commitment to emergency preparedness and preventing future incidents where possible.
“The Province is always there to support communities in their recovery after disasters and to help them build back better and more resilient to climate change,” said Rice.
“We know that a changing climate means more intense and frequent disasters, and it is crucial that communities across the province prepare and adapt.”
Princeton, as well as the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, both received $100,000 in funding for flood mitigation efforts as well. The funding is thanks to an increase in Emergency Management BC’s disaster-mitigation budget, with the Province committing $2.1 billion towards flood and wildfire recovery in their 2022 budget.
