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A Northern Ontario community is being evacuated as a result of anticipated flooding.
According to Ontario Emergency Information, approximately 600 of the most vulnerable residents from the Kashechewan First Nation community on James Bay will be evacuated.
Photo credit: Google Maps.
The federal and provincial government are conducting this partial evacuation on Thursday, April 23rd in prepared of flooding along the Albany River.
Pre-flight briefing for NISG crew members leaving for #Kashechewan #ontario at 10:30 am pic.twitter.com/7XxrOoTyQD
— NISG (@NorthernISGroup) April 23, 2015The communities of Kapuskasing and Smooth Rock Falls will be hosting the evacuees from Kashechewan.
On Monday, April 20th, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Cochrane District and the Mushkegowuk Council Emergency Management Services released a “flood watch advisory” for the communities of Fort Albany and kashechewan.
The MNRF and Council advised area residents that ice break-up may occur abruptly and arrive at the communities within only a few days.
As a result of ice break-up, flows and river levels have been on the rise considerably over the past week.
The First Nations communities of Kashechewan, Attawapiskat, and Fort Albany have faced evacuations and flood damage in the past.
On April 16th, the Federal Government announced $75,000 in funding to hire a coordinator to work with at-risk area First Nations on flood and evacuation preparedness. The coordinator is responsible for helping the James Bay First Nations prepare for and manage seasonal runoff.
"Our Government is taking a proactive approach to this season's spring flooding. These funds will go toward ensuring that First Nation communities on Ontario's James Bay coast receive the emergency management services they need to protect the health and safety of their citizens," said Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
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