THUNDER BAY – Nearly 80 more evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation will be arriving in the city this weekend, as fluctuating water levels and ice break up continue to endanger the James Bay area community.
City of Thunder Bay officials issued a media release late Friday afternoon, announcing 77 evacuees previously staying in Wawa will be sent to Thunder Bay by bus and are expected to arrive Sunday night. The additional evacuees will bring the total in Thunder Bay to 148.
The hotel that had been hosting the evacuees in Wawa needs to be vacated on Sunday, necessitating the relocation.
The chief of the Kashechewan First Nation has asked the return of community members be delayed until ice passes along the Albany River past the community and into James Bay.
“At this point, we do not know when repatriation will occur,” deputy fire chief Greg Hankkio said in a statement.
The first wave of evacuees arrived in Thunder Bay on April 17.
“(Friday) is day 19 of the evacuation, and the operation continues to run smoothly,” Hankkio said. “We will continue to plan some recreational activities and outings for our guests.”
