Flood concerns in Merritt, B.C., after work to rebuild dikes stalls [Video]

Work on rebuilding dikes in Merritt, B.C., has stalled, leaving more than 1,200 properties at risk of future flooding.

That warning comes from Merritt officials who said while the federal government has committed $46.5 million to the province to rebuild dikes, the work can’t begin until the province funds another $21 million to buy land for the project.

“Unless we get these dikes fixed, it will flood again because we do have certain areas in our community that have no diking at all, it’s been washed away. So between them and the river is the grace of God,” said Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz.

“It’s imperative that we get this contained, that we get the funding to fix these dikes…It is a concern for everybody in the community.”

The Coldwater River in Merritt has flooded numerous times, including as recently as late January, though no serious damage was done. The lack …