FLOOD WATCH 2017: State of emergency declared southwest of Merritt

MERRITT – Flooding has prompted the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area N to call a state of local emergency.

The declaration is in place for electoral area N, or Beautiful Nicola Valley-South, according to a press release from the regional district.

Calling the state of emergency gives the regional district authority to complete emergency work around waterways and to construct erosion and flood protection measures. They also now have authority to move obstructions from culverts and bridges.

If residents are in immediate danger they should immediately evacuate. Residents can reach the regional district emergency operations centre at 1-866-377-7188.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Kim Anderson or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.