The Kamloops branch of the Canadian Red Cross is behind whatever effort the organization sets up to support victims of the Johnsons Landing mudslide.
"It's a typical thing that we all kind of jump in on together," said Patti Wielgoz, a volunteer with the Kamloops office.
Volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross are in Johnsons Landing assisting with short- and long-term needs, providing information and referrals to community agencies and listening to those affected by the July 12 slide, a news release said.
Financial contributions provide the most flexible, fast and efficient way of helping those in need, said the release. Donations will go toward housing, clothing, water and food.
Anyone wanting to support the effort is encouraged to contribute to the Western Canada Severe Weather Fund by phoning 1-800-418-111, going online to redcross.ca/severeweather or by contacting the Red Cross. The Kamloops office is located at 943 Victoria St. The phone number is 250-372-2334. Wielgoz encourages residents to help the Red Cross help the people of Johnsons Landing.
"We're going to be on board with it. We're on board with any of the (relief efforts) that happen," she said.
Two properties in Johnsons Landing have been declared safe enough to return to.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay and geotechnical experts declared the Johnsons Landing Retreat Centre and another residence to be outside the potential slide path, said Frances Maika, the public information officer for the region's emergency operations centre.
"Being evacuated has such an impact on people, to have them out of their homes, so we're continually renewing where we draw the (risk) lines," she said.
The retreat centre can reopen for business but the other home has significant damage from the slide, Maika said.
Fourteen other homes remain under evacuation order in the tiny hamlet on Kootenay Lake after the landslide put homes under metres of mud and debris, killing four people.
Two bodies have been recovered and two others are still missing.
THE DAILY NEWS/THE VANCOUVER SUN
