THUNDER BAY, Kashechewan – The evacuations from Fort Albany and Kashechewan have been put on hold. Emergency Measures Ontario advised earlier today that, “The plan is to evacuate approximately 300 of the more vulnerable residents of Kashechewan and Fort Albany today. They would be going to Kapuskasing and Wawa respectively”.
However the evacuation has been put on hold until a full assessment has been done tomorrow (Monday). Once the assessment is done, a decision will be made to proceed with the evacuation, or to terminate the declaration of the emergency.
Assessment will be based on the condition of the river on both chanels and on the water levels. The declaration has not been terminated, it has just been put on hold. There is no change as of yet with the river break up. We are hoping that a full assesment will be done by noon tomorrow.
Hunters are being asked not to go hunting close by or near the Dawich area. When the ice moves, it is going to cause the water to flow and spread out over the hunting areas Dawitch.
The Peetabeck Academy states: Please visit the school website www.peetabeck.com regularly for latest update, or contact Fort Albany, flood co-ordinator Mr. Brent Nakogee for further Information at brentnakogee@fafnmail.com Ph: 705-278-5252
Radio updates: March 24,2012, 10:00 p.m: Don’t go to Anderson’s point OR the dikes, because the ice is melting very fast and at night you might sink because its hard to determine the water level.
Radio updates: March 24, 2012, 11:00 p.m: Brent Nakogee is still monitoring the water level and at this time water movement is slow. Everyone should listen to the Rangers and local security and do not go close to the water, as it is very dangerous. Radio Station is giving away free Radios to the people, who don’t have one.
Radio updates: March 24, 2012, 12:00 mid-night: The ice was moving for 40 minutes, the water and ice is starting to come in. Brent Nakogee is going to keep monitoring. The water level is going up and down. If you have medical emergencies go to the health centre.
“Weather conditions, access for St. Clair Island residents to the mainland, and aircraft availability are some of the factors that might impact the number of people evacuated from the two communities today”.
On Saturday there were fifty four of the most vulnerable people in the community who were evacuated.