Friends, family raise money for displaced Pass Creek resident left homeless by mudslide
By Nelson Daily Staff
Editor’s Note: Story has been updated with comments from Winnie Watson.
Family and concerned friends are putting their heads together to raise money for a displaced resident on Pass Creek Road in the Slocan Valley.
The recent Pineapple Express that dumped a great flood of water onto the area eroded the bank above the home of Pass Creek’s Winnie Watson causing mud to slide into her home.
“I think the shock hasn’t worn off yet,” Watson told The Nelson Daily. “I’m very upset because nothing is covered and I’ve paid house insurance for all those years.”
Sarah MacKay, a friend of Watson’s stepson, said she lived the house for about 40 years and never had a problem.
Then last week with all the rain, a big chunk of the hill slid into her home.
“She can’t get insurance to pay for the damage because (company) calls the slide an “Act of God”,’ MacKay adds.
The debris trail slid down the bank before knocking the secondary roof covering trailer off its posts. Neighbours on both sides of Watson did not experience any slides.
The residence of Watson, who was not at home at the time, has now been condemned.
Watson, who is very thankful for a great friend to take her in during this dilemna, was allowed back into the home by members of the Crescent Valley volunteer Fire Department during the weekend to collect her personal belongings not damaged in the slide.
Those items have now been placed in a storage facility near the Slocan Valley junction.
“I’m 73 years old and I’ve had a lot of losses and I’m still going,” Watson said.
“I had a fire in 1999, but insurance was able to help me rebuild. But now this, (my house) is completely gone.”
MacKay said the family and friends are in the process of setting up a bank account at the Kootenay Savings Credit Union at the South Slocan junction where people can donate money to help Watson, who is in her 70s.
“We’re trying to raise money so Winnie can move into Castlewood Retirement Village in Castlegar,” MacKay said.
The PEP (Provincial Emergency Program) is providing funding to help find a new home, which Watson believes to located at Castlewood Retirement Village.
“I was able to find a suite there, but it’s not cheap,” Watson confessed.
“It’s available March 1.”
“I’ll have to use my pension cheque and some of my savings but they provide everything for me except for my phone,” Watson added.
Watson said the account at the Heritage Credit Union in Castlegar will be set up shortly.
Anyone wanting to help Watson can call MacKay or Nick Makortoff at 250-359-7827.
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