The Canadian Press
KASHECHEWAN, Ont.–An evacuation due to flooding fears is underway at a remote First Nation community in Northern Ontario.
Area MP Charlie Angus says 325 people from Kashechewan First Nation flew to Kapuskasing, Ont. yesterday and another 200 are expected to leave the community today as ice breaks up north of the community along the Albany River.
Angus said children, the elderly, and the sick are being evacuated first as a precautionary measure.
He noted local officials and those from the province will monitor the ice as open water moves towards the reserve where roughly 2,000 people live.
Angus warned the ice easily could jam, which would cause the nearby areas to quickly flood because a dike could fail.
He said the community is expected to sit down soon with representatives from the federal and provincial government to discuss relocation to higher ground.
