“Extensive damage’ done to B.C. Hydro lines, poles due to flooding in Merritt | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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“Extensive damage’ done to B.C. Hydro lines, poles due to flooding in Merritt

A rising Coldwater River overtook parts of Merritt on Monday, with flood waters remaining on Nov. 16, 2021, as seen from aerial drone footage.
Image Credit: YOUTUBE/Greg InBC

B.C. Hydro has lost between 70 to 80 power poles in the Highway 8 corridor alone following a massive flooding event earlier this week.

An information meeting to provide an update on the status of flooding in the Thompson Nicola Regional District was held Saturday afternoon, Nov. 20.

Representatives from the TNRD, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Telus and BC Hydro were invited to speak during the Zoom meeting.

Mary Anne Coules, stakeholder engagement advisor with B.C. Hydro, said 310 customers remain without power in the region and most of these customers are in the Merritt area.

For the homes that were lost, all electricity charges will be waived since the resident's last bill, she said.

B.C. Hydro has conducted an assessment between Merritt and Spences Bridge along Highway 8 and reported "extensive damage." There are sections of highway that have been eroded and there are between 70 to 80 power poles that are missing, she said.

A damage assessment of the Coquihalla is in progress and more information will be provided on restoration efforts in the next day or so, she said.

“This situation has left places with no power line, no roads and no communications,” said Greg Jackson, senior field operations manager, with B.C. Hydro, adding there are places where they are no ground to rebuild the power poles so a geotechnical team is involved.

An update on the Ministry of Transportation was also provided during the meeting. Highway 1 is closed between Hope and Spences Bridge and there is no estimated time of reopening.

Highway 5 from Hope to Merritt will also remain closed for an extended period of time and Highway 3 is open to essential traffic only and delays are expected.

The TNRD is currently assessing the damage in areas of Brookmere and Coldwater Road areas and will move to the Highway 8 corridor once it’s accessible to allow for people to re-enter properties safely, said Priscilla Kazarian, HR and safety coordinator with the regional district.

An update for the City of Merritt will be held online tonight, Nov. 20 through the city’s Facebook page at 6 p.m.

A current evacuation status map can be found on the regional district’s website.


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