THUNDER BAY – UPDATED – 16:20 – The flooding situation in Kashechewan has a full evacuation underway. Details are hard to come by right now. The situation was more relaxed on Friday. Today sources are telling NetNewsLedger that up to 40 basements are flooded, and people are being evacuated.

Full Emergency in Kashechewan

Deputy Chief Amos Wesley is the designated spokesperson.

Message from Deputy Chief Amos Welsey — Kashechwan: We, the KFN signed and declared a Full Scale State of Emergency with the council’s full support as of 11:40am this morning due to rising waters, flooded basement units, water seeping into the community and it’s still continuing. The water level at Hat island also rode by 300 to 4600. We are waiting on Emergency Management Ontario right now. 40 Basement Units will be the priority and the east side of town.

Emergency Response from Ontario

Community leaders for the Kashechewan First Nation has re-declared an emergency due to flooding from the Albany River. A request has been made for the evacuation of approximately 681 residents living on the east side of the community. A request has also been made for additional water pumps for the local water plant and homes already experiencing flooding.

Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) aircraft are being deployed to the area with the first aircraft scheduled to arrive at 4:00PM EDT. An MNR helicopter carrying pumps is also en route.

Community officials, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management are paying close attention to the Albany, Attawapiskat and Moose rivers.

MP for James Bay Charlie Angus says, “Speaking with emergency planners there are 600 evacuees from Kashechewan heading to Thunder Bay — sewage back up in 40 homes and water flooding the lagoon. I called into Kash but couldn’t get through”.

Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs states, “We are taking 600 Stage 1 evacuees which include women, children and young mothers and infirm. They will be housed at the Victoria Inn.”

Mayor Hobbs updates at 16:22EDT that any overflow of individuals will be at the Airlane on Arthur Street.

When NNL called Deputy Chief Amos Wesley was out of the office.

In Moosenee, Steve Crown – Community Emergency Management Coordinator states, “As many of you are aware, break up is occurring in front of Moosonee. It appears that it is broken up along the Moosonee banks and has stopped just past/around the airport area. Water levels have come up a little, but still remain around the same as before breaking up”.

More details as they come in…

Kashechewan First Nation is a Cree community on the James Bay Coast.