18.72°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
canada-eu-to-forge-a-new-strategic-partnership-geneviève-tuts
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Canada-EU to Forge a New Strategic Partnership: Geneviève Tuts

European Union Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts has revealed that the EU and Ottawa are working toward an unprecedented strategic partnership. Her comments come ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s planned address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, next week. Carney has been invited to speak as a non-European leader. According to Tuts, the proposed trade and strategic framework will be part of the broader security and economic alliance Carney highlighted last month. She said the partnership would be distinct from the EU’s existing agreements with countries such as Switz
bc-forestry-sector-urges-urgent-action-writes-to-premier-eby
BCSep 09, 2026

BC Forestry Sector Urges Urgent Action, Writes to Premier Eby

Major organizations representing British Columbia’s forestry sector have written to Premier David Eby, calling for immediate action to address the growing crisis in the province’s forest industry. The BC Council of Forest Industries, BC Wood and the United Steelworkers jointly sent a letter to the provincial government this month, urging Premier Eby to establish a Forestry Crisis Action Group under his leadership. The groups said B.C.’s forestry sector is at a critical crossroads. While acknowledging that international trade pressures are beyond the direct control of the provincial gover
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Canada Eases Study Rules for Temporary Foreign Workers, Allows Up to 6 Months of Study Without Permit

The Canadian government has announced a temporary measure allowing eligible temporary foreign workers already in the country to study for up to six months without applying for a study permit. The initiative is aimed at helping workers upgrade their skills, obtain short-term training and pursue professional licensing while continuing to work. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the measure will particularly benefit workers in high-demand fields, including nurses, laboratory technicians and skilled tradespeople. The government says the move is intended to help addr
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Tariff War Could Push Up Prices at Canadian Retail Stores

Canadian shoppers could see higher prices at retail stores as the ongoing tariff war begins to affect newly imported goods. However, retailers say the impact may take some time to reach store shelves as businesses first work through inventory purchased before the latest tariffs came into effect. Matt Poirier of the Retail Council of Canada said products with short shelf lives or those that sell quickly are likely to see price increases first. This could be followed by slower-moving items such as ovens and washing machines as retailers replenish their stock with tariff-affected products. Canad
85-year-old-man-killed-by-stray-bullet-in-burnaby-apartment
BCSep 09, 2026

85-Year-Old Man Killed by Stray Bullet in Burnaby Apartment

An 85-year-old man was killed after being struck by a stray bullet inside his apartment in Burnaby. According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the body of Chang Yong Cho was found on Aug. 30 inside his apartment in the 7400 block of Kingsway. Police had received reports of a shooting in a nearby block at around 1:30 a.m. Later that day, at approximately 4 p.m., Burnaby RCMP received a call requesting a welfare check at the apartment, where Cho was found dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators said shots were fired during a dispute between a group of young people. One of t

Related News

BC Forestry Sector Urges Urgent Action, Writes to Premier Eby

BC Forestry Sector Urges Urgent Action, Writes to Premier Eby

Major organizations representing British Columbia’s forestry sector have written to Premier David Eby, calling for immediate action to address the growing crisis in the province’s forest industry. The BC Council of Forest Industries, BC Wood and the United Steelworkers jointly sent a letter to the provincial government this month, urging Premier Eby to establish a Forestry Crisis Action Group under his leadership. The groups said B.C.’s forestry sector is at a critical crossroads. While acknowledging that international trade pressures are beyond the direct control of the provincial gover
85-Year-Old Man Killed by Stray Bullet in Burnaby Apartment

85-Year-Old Man Killed by Stray Bullet in Burnaby Apartment

An 85-year-old man was killed after being struck by a stray bullet inside his apartment in Burnaby. According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the body of Chang Yong Cho was found on Aug. 30 inside his apartment in the 7400 block of Kingsway. Police had received reports of a shooting in a nearby block at around 1:30 a.m. Later that day, at approximately 4 p.m., Burnaby RCMP received a call requesting a welfare check at the apartment, where Cho was found dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators said shots were fired during a dispute between a group of young people. One of t
Delta Election: One Delta School Board Candidate Suraj Uppal Withdraws Candidacy

Delta Election: One Delta School Board Candidate Suraj Uppal Withdraws Candidacy

Suraj Uppal, a school board candidate with the One Delta party in the upcoming Delta municipal election, has withdrawn his candidacy. In a statement posted on social media, Uppal said that sometimes stepping back is the best way to move forward and announced that he was leaving the race for school trustee. Uppal did not provide a specific reason for his decision. However, according to local media reports, several posts had appeared on his social media page last week that were described by some local residents as objectionable. It is being speculated that the controversy surrounding those posts
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
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link