THUNDER BAY -- Evacuees from the flood-threatened Kashechewan First Nation could arrive in Thunder Bay as early as this week.
The province has requested the city to serve as a host site after the James Bay area community's chief declared a state of emergency, with the first wave of evacuees expected to be in Thunder Bay as early as Saturday.
“The evacuation of Kashechewan is scheduled to begin this morning with the first flights going to Kapuskasing,” said Mark Smith, the city's general manager of development and emergency services in a statement released on Thursday.
“Once Kapuskasing is full, the plan is to continue the evacuation with people going to Timmins then Thunder Bay will tentatively be receiving our guests on Saturday at the earliest.”
The city's emergency operations group met late Wednesday afternoon and confirmed support. The response is a coordinated effort along with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Ontario, Canadian Red Cross, Department of Indigenous Services Canada and the Local Health Integration Network.
The arrival schedule could change depending on weather conditions and flight availability.
A cost recovery agreement is in place between the city and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
“We have a long history of stepping up to help our neighbours from the north,” Thunder Bay mayor Keith Hobbs said in a statement. “We are looking forward to welcoming our guests and assisting them in their time of need.”
