Evacuations under way in Kashechewan due to flooding risk

KASHECHEWAN, Ont. — Authorities are evacuating about 120 residents of Kashechewan First Nation on the west shore of James Bay due to ice break-ups and the risk of flooding.

The provincial government has issued a state of emergency for the community and says the evacuation are a precautionary measure that “will continue as needed.”

The evacuees are being sent to Kapuskasing, more than 300 kilometres to the south.

Spring evacuations have been an annual headache in Kashechewan due to the flood threat.