FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are common questions and answers for residents affected by the flooding event which occurred on November 15, 2021.

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City Services

Is City Hall open?

City Hall is back to regular hours, which are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. (noon), 1:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Is there any important traffic routing information?

Some areas impacted by flooding continue to disrupt routes. Use caution, and travel throughout town with care. Crews continue to do active work throughout the city. Please stay clear of these areas.

How will the floods impact Merritt’s rental properties?

The City’s short supply of rental housing has been impacted as a result of the flooding. The City urges landlords to not increase rents above pre-flood rental prices. Maintaining stable rental rates will help make #MerrittStrong by keeping Merrittonians in the community.

Restoration Services

Where can contractors looking for work and volunteers offering contracting services connect with Recovery Operations? Visit www.merritt.ca/contractorservices to submit an application form.

Media Information:

How do I interview the mayor, or film and photograph the city? All media inquiries must be emailed to our Information Officers, Ben Morgan: ben.morgan@merritt.ca or Suzanne Birch: suzanne.birch@merritt.ca

Weather:

Is the City still monitoring the weather? Yes, the weather and river flow forecasts continue to be monitored by the City and Province.

Utility Services

What do I do with my Rapid Damage Assessment Tag?

For more information please visit our Rapid Damage Assessment news update page.

What should I know about BC Hydro safety, outages, and supports?

Once your power is back on, we recommend following these tips after an extended power outage:

  • Avoid immediately turning on your heating system and numerous electronics and appliances as soon as the power is back. This gives our electrical system a chance to stabilize.
  • Check food supplies in your refrigerator and freezer.
    • Check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for information on handling refrigerated and frozen food after an outage.
    • A full fridge can keep food cold for about 4 hours.
    • A full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 48 hours; a half-full freezer will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.

BC Hydro Help for Evacuees

Residential and commercial customers who are affected by an evacuation order are eligible to receive a credit for the electricity consumed for the duration of the time they’re out of their home, if the order is for five days or longer.

BC Hydro also offers flexible bill payment plans for when you’re able to return home.

BC Hydro proactively monitor evacuation orders year-round to identify those lasting at least five days. They will then automatically apply a credit to your account for the electricity consumed during the period you’re out of your home or business due to evacuation order.

This credit applies to residential, small business (Small General Service rate), and irrigation customers. You don’t need to call to tell us about your evacuation. The credit will be automatically applied to your next bill.

If you have questions, please contact BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376.

BC Hydro Support for Destroyed Homes

For residential customers whose property was unfortunately destroyed as a result of the natural disaster, BC Hydro will automatically waive all electricity charges since the previous billing period, including for electricity used prior to the evacuation order. Waiving these charges means you won’t receive a final bill for the account.

BC Hydro proactively monitors evacuation areas where properties were lost so there’s no need to call BC Hydro to report.

BC Hydro will also waive the electricity service connection charge for any residential customer that rebuilds their home, if it’s not paid for by insurance.

More information on BC Hydro safety and outages: https://www.bchydro.com/safety-outages.html

Resource Links:

What should I know about Fortis Gas safety, outages, and supports?

FortisBC is working to inspect electrical and natural gas utilities. For more information on safety and outages, please visit the following website: https://www.fortisbc.com/safety-outages. It is very important that if you have a Fortis tag on your home, you follow their instructions.

What do I need to do to repair electrical or gas utilities?

For works to electrical or natural gas utilities, you will require permits and inspections from Technical Safety BC. For information on electrical and natural gas utility inspections, please visit the Technical Safety BC website: https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/ or call 1-866-566-7233.

 

What help is available from B.C. Hydro for Evacuees? When evacuation orders last longer than five days, residential, small business, and irrigation customers are eligible to receive credit for the duration of the order. This credit is applied automatically. Once the order is rescinded, B.C. Hydro offers flexible payment plans. If you have questions, please contact BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376.

 

What help is available from B.C. Hydro for owners of destroyed homes? B.C. Hydro will automatically waive all electricity charges beginning from the previous billing period, including for electricity used prior to the evacuation order. Waiving these charges means customers won’t receive a final bill for the account. Additionally, B.C. Hydro will also waive the electricity service connection charge for any residential customer that rebuilds their home, if it’s not paid for by insurance.

What if my gas was shut off? FortisBC crews have been conducting damage assessments of gas meters on homes and buildings in Merritt that were in the areas most heavily affected by flooding. If you’ve received a tag, or if the service valve on your natural gas meter is turned to the “off” position (crosswise to the pipe) do not turn it on yourself. Instead, contact the emergency number 1-877-711-8877 to arrange for FortisBC to restore your service. Additionally, do not use any gas appliances that have been damaged or submerged until they have been thoroughly inspected by a licensed gas contractor.

Recovery

  • The clay mud in yards and lanes is causing new flooding in basements due to snow melt that can’t penetrate the clay (water pooling in lanes and yards). Will the City help with the mud removal from residential yards? From now until May 23rd residents can collect flood sediment from their yards and place it curbside for removal. The soil must be clean and free from all household and demolition waste-contaminated soil will not be collected. Please leave it loose on the curbside, not packaged in bags.The curbside pick-up of debris removal will also continue until May 23rd, and free tipping fees at the local landfill will continue until May 31st. After that time, residents will be responsible for all soil and debris removal from their homes, as well as any charges at the landfill. A friendly reminder to 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. Additionally, residents and contractors can take the soil to the storage site by the airport. Please make sure that the soil is kept separate from household waste and other debris. 

 

  • Is the mud and silt deposited by the flood safe? All soil samples came back clean, showing no worrying levels of contaminates, and therefore present no significant risk to human health or to the environment. 

 

  • Do I need to tell the city if I’m using heavy equipment to work on my property? It is important to understand where the water curb stop and sewer cleanout are located before using heavy equipment to work on your property, otherwise, you could be held responsible for damage. Please reach out to city hall and request assistance from public works. They can provide a map or physically locate them for you, as necessary. 

 

  • Can the city supply a structural engineer that can evaluate the damage done to zone 4 residents’ foundations during the flood? Unfortunately, this is not a service that the City of Merritt is able to provide. Residents will need to work independently with the appropriate professionals to evaluate the safety of their homes. 

 

  • How do I get my water turned on? Submit a request through the City of Merritt website to have your water turned back on. Residents are strongly encouraged to be home when the water is turned back on so they can respond quickly to any leaks, etc. 

 

  • Are all the Rapid Damage Assessments completed and what do the colours mean? Green indicates no restrictions for entry or use upon the rescinding of the Evacuation Order for the relevant area. Yellow indicates that entry or use is restricted. The building may require further action and/or a detailed assessment or return-to-function assessment. Red indicates that the building should not be used or entered. These buildings may have been declared unsafe because of the nature and extent of structural damage or geotechnical hazards. Property owners requiring assistance can email returnhome@merritt.ca. 

 

  • What do I need to do to get the Rapid Damage Assessment tag removed from my house and how do I get my house removed from the Evacuation Order? Property owners in the flood inundation zone are required to request removal of their Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA) tag as per the following steps:  

 

  • Step 1: Contact a registered professional (electrician, gas contractors, etc.) to inspect and correct any utility issues as noted on the RDA tag or the BC Hydro or FortisBC notice that was posted at your property. This professional will provide you with a signed letter confirming that the works have been completed.  

 

  • Step 2: Email the City at rda@merritt.ca or leave a message on the RDA line to request that your RDA tag be removed from your property. You will need to provide a copy of the letter you received from your utility professional, if applicable. If the RDA tag did not note any issues, you do need to contact us so we can confirm the removal of your tag. Please do not remove a RDA tag without first contacting the City and speaking to a Building Official.  

 

  • Step 3: A City Building Official will contact you to confirm the removal of your RDA tag. If there are other issues with your property (e.g. foundation, insulation, etc.) you will need to inform the Building Official so that they can assist you with applying for a Building Permit. Fees have been eliminated for properties in the flood inundation zone until December 31,    2023.  

 

  • Step 4: Once a City Building Official has confirmed that your RDA placard can be removed, the Emergency Operations Centre will rescind the evacuation order for your property.  

 

  • Please note: It is critical to ensure that all utilities have been inspected by licensed contractors prior to turning on hydro, gas, and/or water lines or serious accident, injury, or damage could result. 

 

  • Why did my property remain on evacuation order?  Identified homes are in an area that has been determined to not be safe to occupy and remain eligible for assistance from ESS. If you believe that your property is habitable, please contact the City Rapid Damage Assessment by email at rda@merritt.ca and provide your name, street address, contact telephone number, and copies (or photos) of the letter from your contractor stating that your services have been restored. Staff will contact you to assist in removing the Rapid Damage Assessment notice from your property file. If you believe that your property remains uninhabitable contact the Red Cross.   

 

  • I am under evacuation order, what access do I have to my house? Day access to Evacuation Order Properties will be from 7 am – 7 pm daily. As infrastructure is still greatly impacted and crews continue to work in the area, residents must not be in the area outside of these times. Residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution and avoid hazards.    

 

  • What do I do with the debris in my home? Residents can place debris at the curbside (not on the road) anytime for collection. It is important that debris is properly separated to both reduce costs for home owners and to ensure health, safety, and environmental protocols are met. Standard household waste (such as food waste, papers, and small materials) are to be placed in garbage bags.  Drywall and asbestos containing materials must be separated from household waste for proper disposal, with drywall placed in bags or neatly stacked at the curb. Mattresses, large appliances, furniture and metal should be stacked neatly curbside. What do residents do with asbestos containing material? Please take appropriate safety measures when dealing with hazardous materials and be cautious of the weight of your garbage bags to avoid accidental ripping.  

 

  • Can I take my debris to the landfill myself? Yes, you may deliver your items to the Lower Nicola Landfill. Tell the scale attendants at the landfill that you are delivering flood debris, provide them with your address, and they will accept your items and issue a receipt. All receipts should be kept, as some fees paid, such as for whole-home demolition, may qualify for reimbursement from insurance and/or DFA. It is advised that residents take photographs of discarded items. Again, residents are asked to please separate all materials for health, safety, and environmental reasons. 

 

  • Does the City of Merritt have any plans to buy properties within 70 metres of the Coldwater River? The City doesn’t currently have the funds to acquire properties, so without Provincial and Federal support, this option isn’t economically feasible. That being said, the City is absolutely working with senior levels of government to determine whether, considering climate change effects, it makes sense to acquire properties near the river to increase safety and reduce long term disaster costs. To that end, the City is developing a plan that will include engineered hydraulic modeling, diking plans, and recommendations for land to be acquired, which will be used to support advocacy for funding to senior levels of government. This plan is anticipated to be complete in early summer.

 

 

  • Will the city provide a place for people to park and live in their RVs? While the City of Merritt does not currently have a designated location for people to park and live in their RVs, residents are permitted to 1) park their RVs on their own property, or 2) apply for a permit to park on their street. The application for street parking is available here: https://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/City-of-Merritt-Parking-Permits.pdf 

 

  • We have learned that Merritt has had past floods in the eighties and nineties and now the recent one: we would like to know why the dikes have not been brought up to standard and when can we expect them to be done? The Recovery Operations Team is currently working closely with engineers and other professionals to investigate the most effective way to rebuild important infrastructure and will use future public information sessions to update Merritt residents of their progress. In the meantime, the dikes are expected to be able to manage the anticipated spring run-off. 

 

  • Will the City be purchasing homes for those who do not want to rebuild? This is an option that will be examined at a much later date, based on analysis of the new flood plain and other considerations. The City of Merritt encourages homeowners not to delay rebuilding and repairing their homes. 

 

  • People who want to return to Merritt for their jobs or to work on their homes are frustrated because there are no accommodation available. What do you suggest? The Recovery Operations Team is very much aware of residents’ housing needs and are actively looking for solutions. One option is to rent an RV, which can then be housed on or near your property. There is a company in Kamloops that offers rentals-please reach out to the Support Centre for their contact details. 

 

  • Does the City of Merritt have plans to supply Temporary Housing for displaced Residents and/or other accommodations (outside Red Cross supports)? The City has explored a number of options for Temporary Housing. While the Province was unable to support temporary camp accommodations, we have applications at the Province for programs to bring in mobile homes, RVs, tiny homes, and even 3d printed homes. Once again, we require funding from senior levels of government to advance these options and are doing everything we can to make sure that decision makers understand the importance of this housing for Merrittonians.

 

  • What are the plans for the repair of the Vought St Bridge before the Spring Freshet? The Middlesboro (Voght St) bridge is scheduled to be removed in March as part of a broader program to clean up river debris and allow for construction of a new bridge, which we expect to be in operation late 2022, or early 2023.

 

  • Why is my house off the evacuation list when it’s not livable? The evacuation list is not intended to determine or denote whether your house is livable. It is strictly focused on the access you are permitted to have to your home, based on whether utilities are available to your property and if emergency and municipal services, such as garbage collection, can reach you, as necessary.
  • Why is this happening now? The City has consulted with the fire chief, police chief, public works, and legal counsel to make this decision, which has taken some time.

 

  • Can I be put back on Evacuation Order? No. The evacuation order is shrinking as city services return. Evacuation orders will not impact your benefits with the Red Cross or DFA.

 

  • Why was my neighbour left on order and I wasn’t? The City of Merritt has rescinded the evacuation order of homes that are now accessible by Emergency Services and have all utility hook-ups. Properties are still being evaluated and the order will be adjusted as required.

Disaster Financial Assistance

  • My home is destroyed-what do I do? Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) provides financial support to assist individuals, small businesses, and municipal governments in recovering from a disaster and restoring damaged property to its pre-disaster condition. The province has listed overland flooding in the Merritt area as a DFA “eligible event”, and Merritt residents may be eligible for this assistance. The deadline to apply has been extended to July 27, 2022. You do not need to wait for the delivery of insurance documents or a decision from your insurance company-the priority is the submission of your DFA application, which can be withdrawn later, if necessary. If you require assistance, please register as soon as possible. For information about the DFA Program and specifics related to eligible applicants, eligible losses, and the application process, please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/evacuee-guidance/disaster-financial-assistance#step1 

 

  • If a DFA application was submitted prior to the deadline, but DFA does not receive the stamped insurance form before that date, is the DFA application considered incomplete? Will it still be processed if the insurance form is submitted later? The DFA would not consider an application incomplete in this situation; the application will still be processed. The DFA encourages people to start the application process as soon as possible and not wait for the delivery of insurance documents. Additionally, the DFA does not hold individuals to a deadline once a file has been opened and allows residents to complete the process in their own time. 

 

Canadian Red Cross

  • What happens after March 31st? The Red Cross understands housing is a complex issue in Merritt, and is committed to continuing to discuss and work with residents after that date, depending on their needs. Residents are advised to keep in regular contact with their Red Cross case worker

 

  • I have been told that the earliest time that I can meet with a case worker is February 23rd. Is there a way to have more urgent needs addressed? Additional case managers have been made available. Please visit the Support Centre at 1700 Garcia St., unit 102. It is open 7 days a week, from 9 am to 4 pm. You can also call the Support Centre at 1-877-655-0341 or email them at returnhome@merritt.ca. Additionally, you can also contact the Red Cross directly at 1-800-863-6582 from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST to request an appointment with a Case Manager.

 

  • Is the Red Cross using the evacuation order list to determine who to support or how much support is being offered? No, the Red Cross is relying on the registration list of those who have reached out and asked for support and is determining needs on a case-by-case basis, depending on people’s individual situation.

 

  • We have been assigned a case manager from the Red Cross to help with our temporary housing needs. We have had 2 telephone conferences. All very helpful. I now need to contact that person to update him on some issues. How can I do this? Please reach out to the Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582 or email bcfloodrecovery@redcross.ca.

 

  • Does the Red Cross provide any assistance with mold remediation and home repairs? Yes! For more information on support services that the Canadian Red Cross provides, please click here.

Contact

Return Home Information Line

Hours of Operation:
Daily from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Phone: 1-877-655-0341
Email: returnhome@merritt.ca