Update:
The City of Prince George has the Emergency Support Services reception centre has closed.
The City says the centre will be reopened if necessary.
Original Story:
Around 50 evacuees from the Peace River Regional District made their way to Prince George.
According to the City’s Manager of Emergency Programs, Tanya Spooner, some of them will be going home after some changes were made to evacuation orders earlier today. (Wednesday)
“When people do come to Prince George, they hopefully are coming to our reception centre,” Spooner said.
Yesterday, the city opened the evacuation reception centre at the Kin 1 lounge.
Spooner noted that in 2017, the city brought in over 10,000 evacuees.
“I would say we are better planned and better resourced now, so if we had to do that type of event we would,” she explained.
“We’re more comfortable in that 1,000 to 3,000 range. When we’re in that 1,000 to 3,000 range, normally we can actually maintain those commercial accommodations and hotel lodgings.”
Spooner says there’s sort of two categories of people who come to the Emergency Operations Centre.
“There’s those who are evacuating but they’re self sufficient, they’re just wanting to make sure they’re on the list so we know they’re safe,” she said.
“There’s other people who actually need supports and services, and we do a little bit of a needs assessment with them, identify if they need a place to stay, if they we’re able to get clothing and other essentials out of their home, if they need food, if they need groceries.”
Residents who are unsure of their residence’s evacuation status are encouraged to check the Peace River Regional District Website.