The flooding Coldwater River inundated parts of Merritt as seen in this screenshot from aerial video shot by a drone operator, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.
Image Credit: YOUTUBE/Greg InBC
November 16, 2021 - 2:30 PM
Aerial video recorded by a drone flying above Merritt shows floodwaters from the Coldwater River have inundated parts of the city.
When the Coldwater River breached its banks yesterday it caused water systems to fail and subsequently forced the City to issue an evacuation order for all residents.
The drone, flying above the city today, Nov. 16, captured video of a snow-covered Merritt where some areas are still under water. The video, posted to YouTube by user Greg InBC, shows a collapsed bridge.
READ MORE: One body found in B.C. highway slide, more missing: RCMP
Assessments are ongoing to assess the scope and severity of infrastructure and private property damage, according to Thompson Nicola Regional District information officer Andrew Roebbelen.
"We're starting to get structure reports from residents that are in the area, and we are still compiling that data," Roebbelen said. "We don't have an estimate yet, but we do know there have been houses washed down the river."
The Coldwater River rose quickly leaving Merritt residents little time to escape their homes. Many are now seeking accommodations in other centres, like Kamloops and Kelowna.
Storms and mudslides have caused widespread infrastructure damage across the southern Interior, with flooding in Merritt, Princeton and parts of the Lower Mainland.
READ MORE: Crews rush to repair southern Interior rail lines damaged by washouts, mudslides
Highways and rail lines have been washed out, cutting off critical access routes to the Lower Mainland.
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