Flood warning issued for Merritt, B.C. as military helps fortify defences

A flood warning was issued Sunday evening for Merritt, B.C., as water levels in the Coldwater River continued to rise and further evacuations loomed.

“The waters in the Coldwater are rising once more. We continue to work closely with the B.C. River Forecast Centre and our own monitors on the ground,” said Mayor Linda Brown in a video posted to the city’s Facebook page.

“We continue to hope for the best and plan for the worst.”

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Brown noted that “all is not grim” as crews have been able to repair dikes, reinforce river banks and protect infrastructure.

Earlier Sunday, the Canadian Armed Forces arrived to help buttress flood defences.

“Their work will help to ensure that we are as well-prepared as we can possibly be when the next pulse of streamflow hits us.”

Also on Sunday, the city suspended day access for evacuees who live in an area hit hard by the recent disaster.

Residents making use of limited access to parts of the city under an evacuation order south of Nicola Avenue were told they must leave by 3 p.m. due to the flood threat. Emergency personnel will not be conducting door-to-door checks, Brown said.

“You should be prepared to leave on short notice.”

A resiliency centre has been established in operation with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, disaster financial relief, the Canadian Red Cross and mental health supports.

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Crews were continuing to work on protecting critical infrastructure, including the city’s wastewater treatment plant, and dikes along the Coldwater.

“Despite an incredible effort by City crews to reinforce and restore the banks of the Coldwater River, our community is still vulnerable to flooding,” Brown said.

“The river is rising and we are monitoring our river banks and are prepared to do what is necessary to keep our citizens safe.”

Meanwhile, residents of 56 properties near Highway 8, west of Merritt, were ordered to leave their homes on Sunday, amid more heavy rain.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District issued the order for properties in the Petit Creek/Spius Creek area of electoral area “I” due to a flood risk to the Spius Creek bridge.