The gates are shut and the residents of Phase One of Seawatch are now locked out of their homes and neighbourhood.
That’s after the District of Sechelt declared a Local State of Emergency and issued an Evacuation Order for the Seawatch subdivision because of an ongoing sinkhole problem in the neighbourhood.
Access has been restricted and fencing and warning signs are in place at two entry points to the subdivision.
Mayor for the District of Sechelt, Darnelda Siegers said the community really stepped up to help people move out of their homes on short notice.
“I’ve actually had some construction companies contact me to find out what they can do and they’ve been reaching out to the residents directly. There have been 60, 70, 80 people every day up there. There’s been food provided, coffee provided, boxes, wrapping, moving, it’s been amazing.”
Siegers said the District is not anticipating the residents will be able to get back into their homes.
“We are working with a structural engineer and geotechnical engineer to determine if it’s feasible and if so, how we would put down some bridging for example, for those who still have belongings that need to be taken out.”
Seigers said she believes most of the residents have found a place to go but some of them may be taking advantage of emergency social services.
“Part of what we have requested is that, once they are out, they actually let us know, just in case we need to get ahold of them. We do have emails and phone numbers, etcetera but, part of it is, we would like to be able to know where they are just in case we need to connect with them. I don’t know at this point. I believe most of them have found a place to go.”
Emergency Management B.C. has been contacted about the situation and recommended to the District to contact the municipal insurance association and reach out to the Insurance Bureau of Canada to see what may be provided to homeowners.
Siegers said they have begun that conversation.
“We’ve done a little bit of that. This week our focus has been on getting the residents to safety and making sure the site has been secured. We have been in touch with the Municipal Insurance Association, that’s our insurer for the municipality and we will be pursuing those kinds of conversations further starting next week.”
Siegers said as the District fleshes out solutions to the sinkhole problem residents will be notified about the results of those conversations.
