Now that almost all the Boundary, B.C., residents forced to evacuate their homes during the recent flood have been allowed to return, the regional district is turning its attention to flood recovery.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is setting up what it is calling the Boundary Flood Resilience Centre at the Grand Forks Curling Rink.
The new centre opens on Saturday and will be staffed by representatives from multiple agencies. It will provide a centralized place for those impacted by flooding to seek assistance.
WATCH: Global News’ ongoing coverage of the extensive flooding in B.C.’s Boundary region.
“The RDKB has assembled more than 20 different agencies under one roof to answer flood victims’ questions and provide assistance on a range of important topics including disaster financial assistance, psycho-social support services, possession recovery, water testing, flood cleanup, waste disposal, home insurance and electrical safety,” the regional district said in a media release.
The regional district said there will be a community pancake breakfast outside the centre at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Then the facility will open at 9 a.m.
During the peak of the flood, around 1,600 properties in the regional district were on evacuation order. As of Friday, only 11 properties remained on evacuation order.
A rapid damage assessment has also found 56 properties, including those still on evacuation order, which have been deemed unsafe, meaning the structure was “found to be seriously damaged and is unsafe to occupy.”