Emergency Support Services in Salmon Arm helps hundreds of evacuees from Merritt

Photo: CSRD

The Shuswap Emergency Program has helped hundreds of flood evacuees from Merritt and elsewhere.

Emergency Support Service staff and volunteers have assisted more than 500 families in providing basic needs including accommodation, food and some clothing and other incidentals.

The reception centre remains active at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort, located at 251 Harbourfront Drive NE in Salmon Arm, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice.

Any evacuees staying with family or friends are required to check in with their nearest reception centre.

Due to a shortage of accommodations allowing pets, the Shuswap Branch of the SPCA is providing assistance by housing animals.

Citizens can help by donating canned dog food, crates and clean blankets for the SPCA. Label items “SPCA Donation” and drop off at the reception centre.

SEP activated a Level 1 Emergency Operations Centre to monitor the situation and provide support where needed.

The emergency program says the Shuswap saw only minor incidents from the storm, including a small area of rock fall near Three Valley Gap and some issues with mud and water on Highway 97A south of Sicamous.

Sand and sandbags were made available to affected residents south of Sicamous.

“I think everyone in our regional district can be very thankful we have been relatively unscathed compared to so many of our neighbouring municipalities and regional districts,” said Columbia Shuswap Regional District chair Kevin Flynn.

“We now need to be supportive neighbours.”

There has been some panic buying of goods from local stores due to the highway closures. Information provided to SEP indicates there should only be short-term shortages, as supplies are being redirected from Alberta.

“I’m asking all residents to please be good neighbours so we can get through this together. There’s no other way to get through it,” says Flynn.