Merritt Flood Mitigation Department Media Coverage
2025
May 12, 2025 Radio NL: Merritt gets $3.4 million in provincial funding to construct the Middlesboro Phase 1 Diking Project
May 10, 2025 Fraser Valley Today: Merritt receives over $3.4M provincial grant for flood protection diking project
May 10, 2025 Q101: Merritt gets another $3.4 million in provincial funding towards flood-protection work
May 10, 2025 CityNews: Merritt receives $3.4M from B.C. government to build flood-protection infrastructure
May 10, 2025 CFJC Today: Merritt gets another $3.4 million in provincial funding towards flood-protection work
May 9, 2025 PRESS RELEASE from the Province of BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness: B.C. supports projects that help communities prepare for climate emergencies
April 28, 2025 Fraser Valley Today: Arson investigation underway after flood-damaged homes deliberately set on fire in Merritt
April 27, 2025 Merritt Herald: Two structures burned Saturday night believed to be arson
April 26, 2025 Q101: Structure fire in Merritt destroys 2021 flood damaged homes along Pine Street
April 2, 2025 CFJC Today: SOUND OFF: Improving flood resilience in Merritt
March 26, 2025 Radio NL: Mayor needles Ottawa as BC adds $60 million into Merritt flood protection
March 25, 2025 Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle: B.C. stacks up $60M for dike work to protect Merritt from future flooding
March 25, 2025 Nation Talk: Province funds replacement of flood-damaged dikes in Merritt
March 25, 2025 Mission City Record: B.C. stacks up $60M for dike work to protect Merritt from future flooding
March 25, 2025 Penticton Now: Merritt getting $60M from BC government to replace flood-damaged dikes
March 25, 2025 Kamloops Now: Merritt getting $60M from BC government to replace flood-damaged dikes
March 25, 2025 Q101.1: “Is a game-changer” Mayor Mike on $60 million to emergency readiness
March 25, 2025 CFJC Today: Merritt receives $60M for Coldwater River dike work from province; mayor calls out absence of federal help
March 25, 2025 CastaNet Kamloops: Province gives Merritt $60M for dike work along Coldwater River
March 25, 2025 Vancouver Sun: ‘A long journey for us’: Merritt gets $60 million from B.C. government to improve flood protection
March 25, 2025 Merritt Herald: Merritt receives $60-million in Provincial funding towards dike construction
March 25, 2025 Northern Sentinel: B.C. stacks up $60M for dike work to protect Merritt from future flooding
March 25, 2025 CBC: B.C. earmarks $60M to build protective dikes in Merritt
March 25, 2025 PRESS RELEASE from the Province of BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness: Province funds replacement of flood-damaged dikes in Merritt
March 14, 2025 Merritt Herald: Canadian Red Cross brings more support for 2021 flood victims
March 13, 2025 Merritt Herald: Project C.H.O.M.P. aims to protect local trees from hungry beavers
March 13, 2025 Merritt Herald: Stuwi(x) Project Leads Share New Updates
February 21, 2025 Merritt Herald: City of Merritt says it’s ready for high water after flood watch issued by province
February 13, 2025 Business Intelligence for BC: ‘Slap in the face’: B.C. communities frustrated with new federal disaster funding
January 31, 2025 CFJC Today: Merritt gets nearly $5-million in provincial funding for new flood protection infrastructure
January 31, 2025 CastaNet: Province gives Merritt millions to construct flood mitigation infrastructure
January 30, 2025 NationTalk: Funding helps build resilient communities through stronger climate adaptation
January 30, 2025 Vernon Matters: Provincial funding supports climate adaptation projects in the Okanagan, B.C.
January 13, 2025 Merritt Herald: Merritt to hold federal government accountable as petition for flood prevention funds reaches goal
January 9, 2025 Global News: Federal flood protection stalled in B.C.
2024
December 17, 2024 Insurance Bureau of Canada: Trudeau government fails to protect Canadians from floods, wildfires
December 4, 2024 Merritt Herald: Merritt family reflects on three years of struggles after 2021 flood
November 21, 2024 Merritt Herald: Merritt flood survivors still struggling three years after devastation
November 18, 2024 Merritt Herald: Samaritan’s Purse shares three years of lessons from Merritt flood recovery
November 18, 2024 Merritt Herald: Merritt bridge reopens to traffic three years after being destroyed by flood waters
November 17, 2024 Castanet: Merritt bridge reopens to traffic three years after being destroyed by flood waters
November 15, 2024 CFJC Today: Merritt’s three-year flood anniversary to be marked with Middlesboro Bridge opening
November 3, 2024 City of Merritt: Bridge Grand Opening + River Walk
November, 2024 Colliers: Climate Readiness and Community Recovery: CEPCA Panelists Discuss the Wraparound Model
October 30, 2024 Merritt Herald: Merritt’s Middlesboro Bridge set to reopen, 3 years after flooding
October 16, 2024 Merritt Herald: Band and City collaborative STUWI(x) Naturalization Project works to restore Coldwater River floodplain
October 11, 2024 Q101: Indigenous-led STUWI(x) Naturalization Project begins restoration work in flood-damaged area of Merritt
October 11, 2024 CBC: Merritt community starts innovative pilot project to restore flood plains
October 10, 2024 CFCJ Kamloops: Indigenous-led STUWI(x) Naturalization Project begins restoration work in flood-damaged area of Merritt
September 23, 2024 Merritt Herald: Merritt resident loans artifacts recovered from 2021 flood to New York exhibit
September 25, 2024 Merritt Herald: MP Dan Albas calls out broken promises in Merritt flood recovery efforts
September 16, 2024 Merritt Herald: City of Merritt seeks federal help through e-petition for disaster mitigation
September 16, 2024 City of Merritt: Federal E-Petition #MERRITTSAFE
July 30, 2024 Merritt, BC: River Safety- Avoid Coldwater River Construction Areas
July 30, 2024 Radio NL News: Merritt marking milestones in flood protection
July 30, 2024 CFJC Today: Merritt’s flood recovery takes step forward with first new dike section underway
July 30, 2024 City of Merritt: Flood Mitigation Project Milestones
July 29, 2024 Global News: ‘Confidence booster’: Merritt marks flood recovery milestones for bridge and dike
July 29, 2024 Global News: Merritt hits flood mitigation milestones
July 18, 2024 City of Merritt: Quilchena Avenue Walking Path and Rail Bridge Closed
July 8, 2024 Merritt Herald: ‘Technicality’ costs millions: ‘Waiting for another disaster’; Merritt mayor disputes denial of federal flood funding
June 30, 2024 Castanet: City of Merritt celebrates key milestone in flood rebuild as washed-out bridge gets replaced
June 26, 2024 CFJC Today: Premier Eby joins B.C. mayors in fight to secure federal funding after 2021 floods
June 20, 2024 Merritt Herald: Project that focuses on revitalizing flooded lands in Merritt enters phase three
July 18, 2024 City of Merritt: Middlesboro Bridge Replacement Project Update
June 13, 2024 CFJC Today: ‘Doomed to fail’; Communication breakdown led to Merritt’s disaster funding application getting rejected
June 13, 2024 Radio NL: Merritt Mayor says federal funding for dike repairs rejected due to technicality
June 10, 2024 Merritt Herald: “Hell and Highwater” documentary on fire and flood to screen in Merritt
June 6, 2024 Merritt Herald: ALBAS: ‘disgusted’ that communities did not get federal funding for floods
June 4, 2024 CBC News: B.C. mayors ‘dumbfounded’ by federal disaster relief rejection
June 4, 2024 CTV News: ‘Like hoping to win the lottery’: B.C. mayors slam federal disaster relief fund after projects denied
June 4, 2024 The Vancouver Sun: Ottawa rejects $1.7 billion in B.C. flood projects, shows more funding needed: experts
June 3, 2024 Abbotsford News: ‘Completely abandoned’: 3 B.C. mayors react after federal flood funds denied
June 3, 2024 City News: ‘A slap in the face’: B.C. mayors decry being rejected for federal disaster relief
June 3, 2024 Victoria News: ‘Completely abandoned’: 3 B.C. mayors react after federal flood funds denied
June 3, 2024 Global News: B.C. mayors ‘dumbfounded’ after Ottawa rejects bid for flood prevention cash
June 3, 2024 Merritt Herald: B.C. mayors slam feds over failure to produce flood protection money
June 3, 2024 CFJC Today: ‘Merritt will flood again’; Federal funding denial has Merritt looking for answers
June 1, 2024 CBC News: Communities hit by 2021 floods denied recovery funding: mayors
April 19, 2024 Merritt Herald: Canadian Red Cross offers financial relief to Merrittonians affected by 2021 flood
April 15, 2024 Journal of Commerce: Middlesboro Bridge in Merritt, B.C. undergoes $14M overhaul after flood damage
April 15, 2024 City of Merritt: Flood-affected Park Repairs
April 2, 2024 The Abbotsford News: B.C.’s flood strategy not ‘perfect’ but a ‘pretty good’ start: insurance analyst
March 21, 2024 The Albertan: B.C. unveils flood strategy, adds $39 million in funding for flood mitigation
March 21, 2024 CBC News: B.C. unveils $39M for climate emergencies, new flood plan
March 13, 2024 CTV News: Work on rebuilding Merritt, B.C., dikes stalls, leaving homes at risk
March 11, 2024 CFJC Today: Susceptible to the next big flood, Merritt patiently awaits ministerial sign-off for land purchases
March 7, 2024 Vancouver Sun: Merritt fears losing federal funding for dikes as it waits for provincial money
2023
November 18, 2023 CBC News: Living in Merritt is like living on an active volcano, says city manager, as concerns loom over flood risk
November 18, 2023 CityNews: Merritt dike system remains in a state of disrepair, 2 years after floods
November 17, 2023 Vancouver Sun: Merritt trapped in ‘political pass-the-buck’ two years after horrific flooding
November 15, 2023 Merritt Herald: Coquihalla reconstruction project complete, 2 years after flooding
November 15, 2023 Radio NL: Merritt facing stalled flood mitigation progress two years after atmospheric river
November 15, 2023 City of Merritt: Flood Recovery Update
November 14, 2023 Merritt Herald: Merritt Mayor Goetz, MP Albas call on feds to expedite flood mitigation funds
November 14, 2023 Coast Reporter: Flood mitigation work in limbo two years after devastating Merritt flood
November 14, 2023 CFJC Today: City of Merritt receives $2 million towards a dike to prevent flooding along the Coldwater River
November 12, 2023 City of Merritt: Dike Replacement Update
September 28, 2023 City of Merritt: River Walk + Ceremony + Public Information Session
September 22, 2023 City of Merritt: Permit Fees reinstated January 1
September 18, 2023 The Merritt Herald: Study finds clear-cut logging connected to extreme flooding
September 13, 2023 CBC News: B.C. government was aware of Merritt dike problems before destructive flooding in 2021, documents show
September 13, 2023 The Globe and Mail: Municipalities renew call for B.C. government to take over management of dikes
September 13, 2023 The Globe and Mail: B.C. must take responsibility for flood protection infrastructure: Research
September 13, 2023 Policy Note: Failure to act means failing dikes
September 13, 2023 The Merritt Herald: B.C. government aware of significant dike problems before 2021 flood, report says
September 13, 2023 Radio NL: Documents show Province, City of Merritt were aware of dike problems before 2021 floods
July 11, 2023 Merritt Herald: Fourth bridge complete between Merritt and Hope as flood repairs continue
July 8, 2023 The Abbotsford News: 4th permanent bridge north of Hope opens on Coquihalla following 2021 floods
June 26, 2023 CFJC Today: City of Merritt receives $10 million to rebuild flood-damaged Middlesboro Bridge
June 26, 2023 CFJC Today: ‘The catalyst of the start of the full rebuild’; Merritt receives provincial funding to replace destroyed bridge
June 26, 2023 City of Merritt: Middlesboro Bridge Repair: Province funds $9.6+ million rebuild of Merritt bridge damaged during atmospheric river
May 7, 2023 City of Merritt: Flood-Affected Emergency Support Services Building to be replaced
February 12, 2023 Rossland News: Merritt, B.C., residents displaced by 2021 floods to move into transitional housing
February 12, 2023 Penticton News: Merritt, B.C., residents displaced by 2021 floods to move into transitional housing
February 10, 2023 CTV News: First-of-its-kind program in B.C. helping Merritt residents displaced by 2021 floods
February 10, 2023 CBC News: City of Merritt to showcase 1st batch of transitional homes for flood evacuees
February 6, 2023 Radio NL: Merritt mayor calling on Ottawa to live up to promises made after Nov. 2021 floods
February 3, 2023 City of Merritt: Flood Mitigation: Plan + Funding
2022
November 20, 2022 Canadian Red Cross: Red Cross program supports Merritt’s Plant and Flower Shop after 2021 Floods
November 19, 2022 CBC News: ‘Lowest point of my life’: Merritt mayor mourns granddaughter, 1 year after flooding
November 18, 2022 CBC News: Merritt mayor mourns loss of his granddaughter during last year’s floods
November 18, 2022 CBC News: A B.C. city needs $90M to protect itself from future floods. But who is willing to pay?
November 18, 2022 CTV News: Merritt, B.C., ranchers still recovering from triple natural disaster
November 15, 2022 CBC News: 1 year later, British Columbians who lost everything reflect on devastating floods
November 9, 2022 The Globe and Mail: B.C. highway swept away in 2021 floods reopens between Merritt and Spences Bridge
November 9, 2022 Global News: Still displaced a year later, resident frustrated with City of Merritt’s flood response
October 24, 2022 The Merritt Herald: Red Cross awards flood affected business owners funding
October 1, 2022 City of Merritt: Road Repairs: Canford Avenue Update
August 30, 2022 City of Merritt: New Voght Dog Park Now Open
July 26, 2022 City of Merritt: Merritt Wastewater System Fully Operational
July 5, 2022 City of Merritt: Flood Mitigation Plan Concepts
June 7, 2022 Radio NL 610 AM: Merritt gearing up for ‘potentially heated discussions’ with flood study results expected this month
May 19, 2022 CBC News: 6 months after the floods, many Merritt mobile home residents still face an uncertain future
May 17, 2022 CBC Vancouver: Some displaced Merritt residents wonder if they will ever return home.
May 10, 2022 Radio NL 610 AM: Merritt flood study could lead to property owners being forced to move
May 6, 2022 Radio NL 610 AM: Even as provincial funding rolls in, Merritt still needs more than $100-million: mayor
May 5, 2022 City News: A year in song: B.C. musician looks back on 2021 floods, fires
April 28, 2022 Victoria News: B.C. expands disaster flood assistance for farmers, small businesses
April 23, 2022 Global News: Neighbourhood clean-up helps Merritt flood victims
April 21, 2022 Merritt Herald: City aims to have residents home by September
April 20, 2022 CTV News: More than 200 homes removed from Merritt’s evacuation order, months after B.C.’s flooding
April 20, 2022 CTV News: Hundreds still displaced by November floods in Merritt, B.C., recovery slowed by cold weather
April 20, 2022 CTV News: Many still displaced after November floods
April 15, 2022 CBC News: B.C. flood survivor warns others to check insurance amid increase in climate disasters
April 14, 2022 Radio NL 610 AM: Merritt to receive over 24 million in flood reconstruction money to build temporary homes
April 14, 2022 CFJC Today: Merritt to receive more than $24M in provincial grant funding for flood-recovery efforts
April 14, 2022 Castanet: Evacuated residents from Merritt and Princeton are still in desperate need of temporary housing.
April 8, 2022 Merritt Herald: Christian organization provides free clean-up service in Merritt
April 7, 2022 CFJC Today: Government must step up to rebuild and protect our communities
April 6, 2022 The Globe and Mail: Spring thaw will test B.C. flood barriers that the ‘atmospheric river’ ruined and covered in debris
March 31, 2022 Merritt Herald: Construction at the Coldwater River
March 24, 2022 CFJC Today: Amid flood rebuild, 2021 a record year for construction in Merritt
March 14, 2022 98.3 CIFM: Federal Minister visits Merritt, meets with residents still displaced after November floods
March 10, 2022 CBC News: Merritt, B.C., aims to 3D-print homes to replace those damaged by flooding
March 4, 2022 Radio NL 610 AM: Merritt looking at 3D printing houses to help people displaced by November floods
March 4, 2022 CFJC Today: Merritt confirms new 24/7 security for flood-affected areas
March 4, 2022 InfoTel: Merritt considering 3D printer to help build homes for evacuees
March 4, 2022 CFJC Today: Middlesboro bridge to be lifted from Coldwater River this week
March 2, 2022 CBC: Hundreds of residents in Merritt, B.C., still out of their homes 3½ months after devastating floods
March 2, 2022 Merritt Herald: City to host Public Information Meeting for flood recovery
March 2, 2022 CFJC Today: Population growth still a priority for City of Merritt staff Michael Reeve
March 2, 2022 Radio NL 610 AM: Merritt residents urged to register for disaster financial assistance before March 3 deadline
March 2, 2022 CFJC Today: Merritt RCMP notices rise in break-ins at Phase Four boundary
February 28, 2022 Castanet: Deadline looms for Merritt residents impacted by November flood
February 25, 2022 CFJC Today: Fraser-Nicola MLA seeking details around how and when BC Budget recovery funding will be used.
February 25, 2022 Global News: More than 900 residents still displaced in Merritt, four months after flooding
February 18, 2022 North Delta Reporter: Merritt’s Bass Coast raises more than $20,000 for flood relief; festival back for 2022
February 17, 2022 The Merritt Herald: Red Cross support access frustrating some evacuees
February 17, 2022 The Province: Members of B.C.’s Shackan First Nation to return home, more than 90 days after flood
February 16, 2022 Castanet: City of Merritt strategizing how to remove silt, clay that accumulated on flood-impacted properties
February 16, 2022 CFJC Today: SD58 progressing toward Merritt schools reopening after Spring Break
February 14, 2022 The Globe & Mail: Three months after the floods, B.C. mayors still waiting for funding
February 13, 2022 Castanet: Some supports extended for Merritt residents impacted by flooding
February 10, 2022 Global News: Displaced Merritt, B.C. residents concerned with flood recovery efforts
January 18, 2022 Statistics Canada: Estimates of the economic activity in and around flooded areas in British Columbia
2021
December 14, 2021 The Narwhal: After a year of climate disaster, B.C. grapples with the urgent need to adapt to its dangerous future
December 7, 2021 Victoria News: Nearly 300 still in the dark in flood-ravaged Merritt area as BC Hydro works to restore power
December 5, 2021 CBC News: Daunting cleanup greets residents returning to Merritt, B.C.
December 5, 2021 InfoNews Kelowna: Merritt evacuees live in trailer in Walmart parking lot for nearly three weeks following floods
December 3, 2021 Global News: B.C. floods: Large cohort of Merritt, B.C. residents given green light to return home
December 2, 2021 Kamloops News: Unexpected problem: Rodents squatting in flood-evacuated Merritt homes
December 2, 2021 Global News: B.C. floods: Merritt announces final phases for evacuees to return home
December 1, 2021 The Tyee: Where Was the Warning?
November 28, 2021 CTV News: Merritt, B.C., residents in evacuation zones ordered to leave ahead of possible flooding
November 27, 2021 CFJC News: City of Merritt creates fourth category of devastated properties; Phase 3 to receive day passes
November 26, 2021 The Globe and Mail: Residents of Merritt, B.C., return home after evacuation to find destruction and sorrow
November 25, 2021 City of Merritt: Virtual Information Session
November 22, 2021 City of Merritt: Video Update
November 24, 2021 City News: Woman remains missing after floods destroyed Highway 8 near Spences Bridge
November 24, 2021 Global News: Flood-ravaged Merritt, B.C. to begin second phase of re-entry this weekend
November 22, 2021 City of Merritt: Video Update
November 22, 2021 CFJC News: Kamloops Search and Rescue play role in rescuing Merritt residents from flood waters
November 22, 2021 Global News: Some residents of flooded Merritt, B.C. will be able to go home soon, mayor confirms
November 22, 2021 Victoria News: 500 troops in B.C. helping with flood works, delivering supplies to cut-off areas
November 22, 2021 CBC News: City of Merritt releases return-home plan for flooded-out residents
November 22, 2021 City of Merritt: City of Merritt Return Home Plan
November 21, 2021 City of Merritt: Video Update
November 20, 2021 CBC News: In a single week: A timeline of how once-in-a-century flooding unfolded across B.C.
November 18, 2021 Radio-Canada: Why are the B.C. floods so bad? Blame the wildfires, at least in part
November 17, 2021 CBC News: ‘The river just took it under’ says B.C. couple who lost entire farm to floodwaters
November 16, 2021 CBC News: Still reeling from fire season, Merritt, B.C., evacuees now taking stock of ‘devastating’ floods
November 16, 2021 CFJC Today: RAW VIDEO: Drone footage shows extent of catastrophic Merritt flooding
November 16, 2021 The Times Colonist: Torrents of water fill Merritt streets and buildings, sewage plant fails; everyone told to evacuate
November 16, 2021 Global News: ‘No highways to get me home’: More than 100 truckers trapped in Merritt, B.C. due to floods
November 16, 2021 Vernon Matters: VIDEO: Drone footage shows extent of Merritt flooding
November 15, 2021 CBC News: Flooding forces evacuation of Merritt., B.C.
November 15, 2021 The Globe and Mail: Footage of B.C. flooding in Princeton and Merritt
November 15, 2021 Global News: Aerial view of flooding that led to evacuation of Merritt, B.C.
November 15, 2021 Global News: Entire city of Merritt, B.C. forced to evacuate due to flooding
November 15, 2021 Kelowna Now: VIDEO: Some streets in Merritt are running like rivers
November 15, 2021 The Washington Post: Floods caused by an ‘atmospheric river’ trap people on highways, prompt evacuations in British Columbia
November 15, 2021 Yahoo News: Entire city of Merritt, B.C., ordered to evacuate after flooding of wastewater treatment plant