Hi, my name is Bobbie and this GoFundMe is for my sister Jean Acason and her husband Grant Courage whose home was deeply affected by the flood waters in Merritt, BC. Money raised will go toward them repairing (if able) their mobile home. The funds are needed quickly as they must find a place to live and replace their furnishings due to winter fast approaching.

Jean and Grant are seniors living in Merritt who are on pension and not in good health. At 1:30am on Monday morning they were woken by someone knocking at the door and being told they have to evacuate immediately. Jean frantically put together her and Grant’s medication and basic essentials. They got in their truck and went to the Merritt Community Centre, which was being used as the evacuation location. At 12pm on the same day whole town of Merritt is told that it had to evacuate to either Kamloops or Kelowna because the water filtration plant and the sewer system had failed. Jean and Grant couldn’t go back for clothes or any of their possessions. After a 5-hour wait in Kamloops they are told that the evacuation location is at capacity, and they had to go to Salmon Arms. By this time, it is dark out and they are terrified to drive the roads at night knowing that there are mud slides at other locations, but they have no choice, they had no where to go. They made it to Salmon Arms where they waited to hear news from Merritt on the rising waters and the status of their home. Through the generosity of a friend, they are given a home to stay in while the friend is out of town. It is now Wednesday; this is the first good thing to happen since Monday. They got in touch with a friend who stayed in Merritt and were able to get information on their home. It was not good. Their home was devastated by the flood. The flood water poured into their home to a level of 18”. When the water receded, they were left with mud and sewage throughout their home. In the attached photo you can see the depth of mud left behind in their home and in the second picture you can see the level (black lines) that the water reached. When the water swept through their home it dislodged furniture and appliances. At the very least, the floor and walls will need to be replaced. Their furnishings and personal belongings that touched the floor are no longer useable. This has put great strain on their mental health, and they need help. They lost so much and have been suffering from stress of the whole disaster. For this reason, I am reaching out to you; to ask for your help through donations to help them to rebuild. All donations are very welcomed and extremely appreciated. If you would kindly share the link for this fundraiser with family, friends and contacts, it would seriously help Jean and Grant. From the bottom of my heart and definitely theirs, thank you.