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Finding the silver lining in an evacuation

The recent evacuations from 150 Mile House, have connected Norma Sure to her daughter and nephew
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150 Mile resident Norma Sure and dog, Nylah, are some of the many evacuees in Prince George. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press)

The tears came quickly for Norma Sure when her daughter and nephew made it to Prince George Saturday night.

害羞草研究所淲hen they arrived害羞草研究所 I couldn害羞草研究所檛 stop crying,害羞草研究所 she said.

For the longtime Cariboo resident, today is evacuation day nine.

With her nephew害羞草研究所檚 dog Nylah at her feet, Sure waited patiently in a chair off to the side of the emergency reception centre Sunday morning, watching hundreds rush from their cars to get in line and register with Emergency Social Services.

Her daughter and her boyfriend, as well as her nephew and his girlfriend were inside getting registered themselves. They害羞草研究所檙e a few of the nearly 37,000 people who have been displaced due to the wildfires raging across the province.

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It害羞草研究所檚 hard to find positives when natural disasters strike, but Sure has seemed to find a silver lining.

Saturday害羞草研究所檚 evacuation meant family was joining her in Prince George, she explained.

At least they害羞草研究所檇 be together.

Sure was evacuated more than a week ago from her 150 Mile home and only given a few short hours to pack.

Although she had to leave behind most of her belongings 害羞草研究所 including her rooster 害羞草研究所 Sure managed to bring three of her horses to Prince George. They害羞草研究所檙e now being cared for by volunteers at the Prince George Exhibition Grounds.

Sure moved her dozen-or-so chickens to her parents house nearby, but during their own evacuation to Kamloops they couldn害羞草研究所檛 manage to catch a single one, and had to leave them behind.

Sure害羞草研究所檚 niece 害羞草研究所 who was sent during an evauation order to Kamloops 害羞草研究所 had managed to get a permit Thursday to check on the ranch. The rooster was still where it was left, near plenty of water and food.

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Feeling homesick, Sure害羞草研究所檚 had more than a week to internalize the situation she害羞草研究所檚 been dealt.

害羞草研究所淭here are moments where I just wants to be in the comfortability of my home,害羞草研究所 she said.

But she害羞草研究所檚 also happy to be safe, and surrounded by family she can now ensure are also OK.

害羞草研究所淓veryone害羞草研究所檚 out alive, and that害羞草研究所檚 all that matters.害羞草研究所

Sure害羞草研究所檚 preparing for the long haul. She害羞草研究所檚 re-registering for funds through the Emergency Social Services and suspects it could be some time before she害羞草研究所檚 allowed back into the town she calls home.

As for returning home, it害羞草研究所檚 a waiting game highly dependent on weather, as fire crews try to contain each blaze.

The five family members are staying together at the Coast Inn of the North Hotel, where evacuees have been given discounts. The rest of the bill being paid for through their ESS stipend.

Each day, they害羞草研究所檒l wait together for updates on their homes and when they can return to their communities.

害羞草研究所淐razy has become the new normal.害羞草研究所



About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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