Province Makes Moves To Get Stranded People Home

By 250 News

Williams Lake, B.C.- The Province is paying travel costs to help residents and travellers stranded by the closure of Highway 20 return to their homes.

The Province will be offering flights from Anahim Lake to Bella Coola to all of the 31 displaced Bella Coola residents, who are currently located in Williams
Lake. Drivers will also be assisted with ground travel from Bella Coola to Williams Lake to recover their vehicles once Highway 20 reopens. During the interim period, secure parking will be provided for the residents' vehicles.

As well, the Province is funding additional sailings of the MV Nimpkish and the MV Northern Adventure to aid the return of travellers still stranded in Bella Coola. The Province and BC Ferries are working together to transport stranded travellers and their vehicles from Bella
Coola to Bella Bella, where travellers can board the Northern Adventure and sail to Vancouver.

Bella Coola residents stranded in Williams Lake will continue to receive Emergency Social Services (ESS) until their flights depart.  Following the final flight to Bella Coola, local ESS will be concluded.
In the event that individuals opt to remain in Williams Lake, they will no longer be eligible for continued emergency response support from the local authorities or the province.

Provincial staff and the Red Cross are setting up a resilience centre at Bella Coola's Valley Inn to help returning residents with long-term recovery needs. As stranded travellers from Bella Coola return to Vancouver, Red Cross staff will meet them to help with their immediate needs until they are able to return home.

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