5.13°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Nov 15, 2021 8:23 PM - Connect News

Evacuation Order issued for the entire City of Merritt

Share On
evacuation-order-issued-for-the-entire-city-of-merritt
An Evacuation Order has been issued for the entire City of Merritt. (Video screengrab - Michael Barthel/Twitter)

Statement issued by City of Merritt:

An Evacuation Order has been issued for the entire City of Merritt.

Our staff have been working diligently throughout these changing circumstances with one main priority in mind: the safety and wellbeing of our residents.

The flood waters have now inundated two bridges across the Coldwater River, and flood waters prevent access to the third.

High flood waters have rendered the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant inoperable for an indefinite period. Continued habitation of the community without sanitary services presents risk of mass sewage back-up and personal health risk.

An Evacuation Order has been issued for the entire City of Merritt. Residents with friends or family outside of the community should make plans to stay with them and evacuate to that location.

For anyone who does not have somewhere to stay, please proceed to Kamloops or Kelowna. If you have any support available in either location, go there. If you do not, residents of odd-numbered houses please proceed to Kamloops, residents of even-numbered houses proceed to Kelowna.

The Kamloops ESS Reception Centre is located at McArthur Island (1655 Island Parkway). Directions: proceed North on Highway 5.

The Kelowna ESS Reception Centre is located at 1800 Parkinson Way. Directions: take highway 97C East to Kelowna.

Evacuees can register online https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ or contact 1-800-585-9559 for more information.

We have established a Muster Point at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (2075 Mamette Ave), where we will have bus evacuation services for individuals with mobility issues and those without access to vehicles or otherwise unable to find alternate transportation.

The City of Merritt has requested that all gas stations remain open for residents leaving the city.

"Merritt is and will remain strong. At this time, we need everyone to proceed in a calm and orderly manner to safe locations in nearby cities. For your own safety, you must now leave Merritt, for the time being. Please, offer help to your friends, families, and neighbours, drive safely, and take care of yourselves. We will meet each other again, in our homes, where we belong." – Mayor Linda Brown

Latest news

See All
11-injured-after-grizzly-attacks-b-c-students-in-bella-coola
BCNov 21, 2025

11 injured after Grizzly attacks B.C. students in Bella Coola

A grizzly bear attacked a group of elementary school students in Bella Coola, in B.C.'s Central Coast region. A total of 11 people were injured in the incident, with two in critical condition and two others seriously injured. According to BC Emergency Health Services, seven people were treated at the scene. The incident is believed to have occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday. According to eyewitnesses, several people tried to stop the bear and a male teacher confronted the bear and suffered serious injuries. According to information, this teacher was taken to the hospital by helicopter. The Bella
CanadaNov 20, 2025

Indian national wanted in murder case arrested after being refused entry at Canada–U.S. border

U.S. border officials say a 22-year-old Indian national was taken into custody at the Peace Bridge crossing at Fort Erie after Canadian officers refused him entry over the weekend. The case is drawing renewed attention to cross-border screening practices that affect travel between Ontario and Western New York, a corridor frequently used by travellers from Ontario’s South Asian communities. According to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the man – identified as Vishat Kumar – had previously entered the United States without authorization in 2024 and did not appear for a
chrystia-freeland-to-leave-parliament-for-senior-leadership-role-with-rhodes-trust-in-u-k
CanadaNov 20, 2025

Chrystia Freeland to leave Parliament for senior leadership role with Rhodes Trust in U.K.

Chrystia Freeland is preparing to leave federal politics next year as she moves to Oxford, England, to take up a senior leadership role with the Rhodes Trust. The educational charity confirmed that Freeland will become its next chief executive officer on July 1, overseeing one of the world’s most influential international scholarship programs. The organization administers the Rhodes Scholarship, which brings students from around the globe to study at the University of Oxford. Freeland’s appointment places her at the centre of an institution that has produced generations of leaders in publi
rain-and-snow-alerts-in-effect-as-coastal-and-northern-b-c-brace-for-strong-weather-system
BCNov 20, 2025

Rain and Snow Alerts in Effect as Coastal and Northern B.C. Brace for Strong Weather System

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a pair of weather alerts for communities along British Columbia’s north and central coast, warning that a strong frontal system could bring significant rain and heavy mountain snow through the end of the week. The agency says areas from Bella Coola through Kitimat may receive as much as 70 millimetres of rain, raising the risk of water pooling on roads and possible washouts near rivers and creeks. The system is expected to weaken by Friday, but officials caution that changing conditions may still affect travel across coastal corridors. While t
senate-approves-citizenship-reform-for-lost-canadians-as-advocates-raise-adoption-concerns
CanadaNov 20, 2025

Senate approves citizenship reform for ‘Lost Canadians’ as advocates raise adoption concerns

Federal legislation designed to address long-standing gaps in Canada’s citizenship rules has cleared the Senate and is expected to become law before a court-imposed deadline early next year. The bill aims to resolve cases involving so-called Lost Canadians – individuals born abroad to Canadian parents who were themselves born outside the country and who lost access to citizenship because of restrictive rules adopted in 2009. The changes come after the Ontario Superior Court ruled last year that the previous one-generation limit on citizenship by descent was unconstitutional. Under the upda

Related News

11 injured after Grizzly attacks B.C. students in Bella Coola

11 injured after Grizzly attacks B.C. students in Bella Coola

A grizzly bear attacked a group of elementary school students in Bella Coola, in B.C.'s Central Coast region. A total of 11 people were injured in the incident, with two in critical condition and two others seriously injured. According to BC Emergency Health Services, seven people were treated at the scene. The incident is believed to have occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday. According to eyewitnesses, several people tried to stop the bear and a male teacher confronted the bear and suffered serious injuries. According to information, this teacher was taken to the hospital by helicopter. The Bella
Rain and Snow Alerts in Effect as Coastal and Northern B.C. Brace for Strong Weather System

Rain and Snow Alerts in Effect as Coastal and Northern B.C. Brace for Strong Weather System

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a pair of weather alerts for communities along British Columbia’s north and central coast, warning that a strong frontal system could bring significant rain and heavy mountain snow through the end of the week. The agency says areas from Bella Coola through Kitimat may receive as much as 70 millimetres of rain, raising the risk of water pooling on roads and possible washouts near rivers and creeks. The system is expected to weaken by Friday, but officials caution that changing conditions may still affect travel across coastal corridors. While t
Seven year sentence handed down for Port Moody home invasion tied to cryptocurrency theft

Seven year sentence handed down for Port Moody home invasion tied to cryptocurrency theft

A man who carried out a violent home invasion in Port Moody last year as part of an attempt to steal cryptocurrency has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Court records show Tsz Wing Boaz Chan entered a guilty plea to break and enter, sexual assault and forcible confinement in connection with the April 27, 2024 incident. Port Moody Police say Chan was taken into custody last summer when he returned to Canada through Vancouver International Airport. Investigators allege the motive behind the robbery was the theft of digital currency, though police have not released information about the v
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link