Sudbury

Kashechewan First Nation re-declares flooding emergency

Kashechewan First Nation has re-declared an emergency due to flooding from the Albany River.

About 700 residents in the James Bay-area community requested to evacuate the area

About 700 residents of the Kashechewan First Nation are asked to evacuate after the community has re-declared an emergency due to flooding from the Albany River. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

Kashechewan First Nation has re-declared an emergency due to flooding from the Albany River.

About 685 residents living on the east side of the James Bay-area community are asked to evacuate the area, according to Emergency Management Ontario.

Some evacuees have been airlifted to Thunder Bay, where they'll stay until flooding conditions subside. Others are being flown to Greenstone.

EMO is also requesting more water pumps for the local water plant and homes already experiencing flooding.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has deployed aircraft to the area. A ministry helicopter is also en route as of Saturday afternoon.

Officials are closely monitoring the Albany, Attawapiskat and Moose rivers.

Meanwhile, Thunder Bay has signed an emergency declaration to brace for the evacuees.

"Thunder Bay is very experienced in dealing with these types of emergencies,” Hobbs said. “We are prepared to provide support to our northern neighbours in their time of need,” Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs said earlier this week.