Recovery Update | February 25, 2022
Community Recovery Bulletin
The February 25 Community Recovery Bulletin is available here.
This Community Bulleting, published February 25, 2022, talks about a Public Information Session scheduled for March 3rd, 2022, a reminder and deadline for Disaster Financial Assistance application, an update on silt and soil, a visit from a Scout Troop, and more.
PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION
On March 3rd, at 5:30 p.m., the City of Merritt will be hosting a Public Information Session, which will be streamed to YouTube on the City of
Merritt channel located here: www.merritt.ca/watchmeetings
The meeting will also be screened live at the Support Centre located at 1700 Garcia Street.
The Red Cross will be joined by our Recovery Operations Team to provide information about recovery efforts.
We encourage you to send us your questions ahead of time to returnhome@merritt.ca
DISASTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DEADLINE
A reminder to our community that the deadline for DFA (Disaster Financial Aid) is March 3rd, 2022.
If you are in need of support and have not yet applied for funding, we recommend you do so as soon as possible.
You do not need to wait for the delivery of documents or a decision from your insurance company-the priority is the submission of your DFA application, which can be withdrawn later, if necessary.
SOIL & SILT
There have been questions about the safety of the soil and silt left by the flood.
We are pleased to say that all soil samples came back clean, showing no worrying levels of contaminates, and therefore present no significant risk to human health or the environment.
Soil free of debris and household waste can still be dropped off at the storage facility near the airport. Additionally, we are in the process of organizing the removal of silt and mud from residents properties and will make an announcement of next-steps as soon as those plans are confirmed.
In the meantime, please refrain from flushing silt and soil down toilets, drains, and other city infrastructure, as this places too much strain on our waste management system.
CONTACT INFORMATION
City of Merritt:
Website: merritt.ca
Facebook: City of Merritt
Flood Information: 1-877-655-0341
City Hall: 1-250-378-4224
Support Centre: 1700 Garcia St.
Red Cross: 1-800-863-6582
Rotary Club of Merritt:
connect@rotarymerritt.com
Residential Tenancy Branch:
1-800-665-8779
BC Mental Health Support line:
310-6789
KUU-US Crisis Line:
For Indigenous people in B.C.
Adults/Elders line: 1-250-723-4050
Children/youth line: 1-250-723-2040
Toll free: 1-800-588-8717
Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722
SCOUT DONATION
The 13th Burnaby Scouts are coming to Merritt! On March 12th, from 2-4 pm, the Scouts will be handing out free bags of groceries and personal items from the parking lot in front of the Merritt Support Centre, located at the Railyard Mall, 102, 1700 Garcia St.
SUPPORT CENTRE—HIRING HELP
The Support Centre is looking to hire two Community Navigators to reach out to those who have been impacted by the Coldwater Flood. These “Navigators” would travel door-to-door to meet with people that may need assistance. For more information on this short-term contract and to submit a resume, please contact
linda.brick@merritt.ca
CONTACT YOUR RED CROSS CASE WORKER
The City of Merritt continues to work with the Red Cross to find solutions for those who remain displaced,
and urges residents to maintain regular contact with their Red Cross case worker.
MERRITT SUPPORT CENTRE
The Merritt Support Centre continues to be open 7 days a week, from 9 am to 4 pm, with Red Cross case workers in attendance from Monday to Saturday. The Support Centre is located at 1700 Garcia Street.
SUPPORT & RECOVERY INFORMATION
To help enhance communication and information sharing, specific to recovery and support from the November, 2021 Coldwater Flood, we have created a dedicated website that is linked to the city's primary website.
It is located at https://flood.merritt.ca/
Additionally, a Public Facebook Group, Merritt Home and Recovery has been established and is located at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3082982508591319
These sites are dedicated to recovery and support information, which we hope will be easier for those who remain impacted to navigate.