More Merritt, B.C., residents may be able to return home this weekend after devastating floods
More Merritt, B.C., residents may be allowed to return home this weekend, depending on testing results.
The official go-ahead for residents part of the city's Phase 2 return plan will be dependent on final water testing results, which are expected Friday. Phase 2 includes those living between the RCMP station and Nicola Avenue.
Mayor Linda Brown says this is a major milestone for Merritt as it recovers from devastating flooding that forced the entire city to be under evacuation order.
"I know nothing can be said to ease the angst that you're all feeling, but we are trying our best to get you answers and we are steadily working towards repairing infrastructure so that we can bring all of you home safely," she said in an update Thursday.
A boil water advisory remains in effect and people returning home are advised to use as little water as possible.
Those who return home will still be on evacuation alert and should be ready to leave again at a moment's notice. Before returning, residents should ensure they have enough food and essential supplies to be self-sufficient, as these items are limited in the city.
The first group of residents returned home on Tuesday. Details on access for residents in Phase 3, or those living south of Nicola Avenue, are expected to be released Friday.
Residents are being warned that the city they're "returning to is not the same city they left."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.