As expected, the City of Merritt has released details about its ‘robust’ return home plan.

It says evacuation orders for residents and business owners in Phase 1 of the City (North of the RCMP Station, pictured below) are expected to be lifted at noon tomorrow, Nov. 23.

Residents who return home will be on an evacuation alert. There will be also be a Boil Water Advisory in place, and people are being told to be extremely conscious of water use, as the Kengard well is the only one that is currently operational.

“Similarly, with the waste water system, we are able to pull sewage through but we aren’t able to process anything yet,” Information Officer Greg Lowis said. “So we’re working closely with the Ministry of Environment and other agencies because we will be discharging raw sewage into the river.”

While there will be groceries and gas available, residents who do return are being told have enough food and supplies for 72 hours.

The hospital will not be open at the outset, and anyone requiring emergency care will be sent to Kamloops. People are also being warned that there will be reduced water for fire protection, though it is being offset by water tankers that are on standby, if needed

Residential garbage and recycling pick up will commence the week of Nov. 29, with commercial service set to begin immediately.

Staff say a reduced level of snow clearing will be provided. Hydro, gas, and internet utilities are all operational in the Phase 1 of Merritt in preparation for ther return of people.

During Phase 1 of the return, there will be roadblocks on Voght Street at Grimmett Street, on Nicola Avenue at Juniper Drive, and on Nicola Avenue at Coldwater Road.

Lowis also says details about Phase 2 of Merritt’s return home plan (residents between the RCMP Station and Nicola Avenue) is expected to be released on Thursday Nov. 25 at the latest, while there is no timeline as to when residents in Phase 3 (south of Nicola Avenue) could return, even if their properties were not affected by floods.

“Timelines for removing the evacuation order to these neighbourhoods will be established as soon as possible,” Lowis said. “Orders will likely be removed on a block-by-block basis, with priority being given to those areas where utilities can more readily be re-established.”

“For areas within Phase 3 where damage was more substantial – both to structures and utilities – the evacuation order could remain in place for an extended period of time.”

The entire city of about 7,000 people had to be evacuated last Monday after relentless rain caused the Coldwater River to overrun its banks, causing the wastewater treatment plan to fail.

“Bringing Merrittonians home has been our first priority and we will be able to bring some of you home in the next few days,” Mayor Linda Brown said on Sunday.

“We will be extending this across more of the City as soon as we can.”

For more information on Merritt’s Return Home Plan, go here or contact the Return Home Information Line at 1-877-655-0341 or by email here.