Ice jam puts Moosonee, Moose Factory on alert

Spring breakup has started in the far north, and an ice jam on the Moose Riveris threatening to floodboth Moose Factory and Moosonee.

Moose Factory Island Fire and Rescue officialssaid thecommunity's hospitalis on alert in case patients need to be moved.

Officials in Moosoneealso said they arepreparing inthe event evacuation ofvulnerable citizens is necessary.

Emergency Management Ontarioreported the town has requested provincial assistance.

People in both communitieshave beenasked to watch for floodupdates and prepare to leave quickly, if necessary.

Sewer backups

Some evacuations have already been necessary on the James Bay Coast but they are related to sewer backups.

About 200 people from Kashechewan were flown to Kapuskasingearlier this weekbecause the sewer backed up into 40homes. Those units have no furnaces orelectricity.

At least a dozen homes were also damaged by sewer backup in Attawapiskat, but only hospital patients were removed from that community.