Staff of Marshall Veterinary Hospital in Quesnel worked late into the day Thursday, April 15 rushing to move what they could after receiving an evacuation order from the City of Quesnel.
The local business at 1927 Dragon Hill Road was ordered to clear the building after the city declared a state of local emergency just hours earlier due to the risk of landslide within the area.
“I’m feeling overwhelmed,” office manager Katharine Robinson told the Quesnel Cariboo Observer after 6 p.m.
“We have to immediately get everything out.”
Robinson and her coworkers scrambled to box files that will be moved to her home so she can contact clients letting them know of the situation.
Other items will be moved into storage containers which will be temporarily stored on staff member’s personal property.
Read More:State of local emergency declared for Dragon Hill Road
“It’s pretty catastrophic really,” Robinson said, noting nothing like this has happened before.
An evacuation alert has also been issued for eight other properties located along Dragon Hill Road including Downtown Tirecraft and Aroma Foods Market and Deli.
Shortly after the city sent notification of the evacuation order and alert, Robinson said some members of the community came by to offer support.
“We’ve had phone calls already of people offering help,” she said.
“There’s always such great community support.”
Residents are being asked by the city to stay away from emergency-affected areas and obey all warning and hazard signs.
By ordering a state of local emergency, the city noted it will allow them to respond to the threat of land erosion which could potentially result in the destruction of infrastructure and property, and create risks to public safety.
A state of local emergency was declared three days prior due to the risk of landslide within the area of Panorama Ridge.
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