A state of emergency was declared in Fort Albany First Nation on Tuesday night as flooding continues to threaten the community. This marks the third remote community in Ontario’s Far North to make the declaration after the Ministry of Natural Resources upgraded a flood watch to a warning at 5:25 p.m.
Just over two weeks ago, Kashechewan First Nation, located on the north side of the Albany River, began evacuating hundreds of residents due to rising water levels. Shortly after, more than 130 vulnerable individuals and their indoor pets were evacuated from Neskantaga First Nation due to the flooding of its local nursing station.
In Fort Albany, officials are now planning a full-scale evacuation. “We are currently preparing the flight manifest for the first 185 individuals scheduled to depart tomorrow,” the First Nation announced in a social media post late Tuesday.
The Town of Cochrane has been identified as the hub host for evacuees until another hosting community is found. A follow-up meeting with the Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) is scheduled for the morning.
Canadian Rangers have been activated to provide community support services, and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is set to release water from its dam located upriver. The release is expected to further raise water levels, impacting Fort Albany and Kashechewan communities.
Of particular concern is the Anderson Causeway, which is dangerously close to overflowing. Officials have urged residents living on Anderson Island to relocate to Sinclair Island for safety. If an emergency arises during the night, the community’s fire truck will sound its siren to alert residents.
OPG plans to increase the flow at the Kenogami Dam from 1m3/s to 50m3/s on Wednesday to manage water levels on Long Lake.
Source: Swifteradio.com
