Kashechewan, Fort Albany flooding forces evacuation

Hundreds of people on the James Bay Coast are being airlifted out today as swelling rivers threaten communities.

Almost 900 people in Kashechwean are boarding military flights this afternoon.

Emergency Management Ontario says they will be transported to either Cornwall, Fort Frances, Greenstone, or Matachewan.

Close to 300 people are also being airlifted out of Fort Albany.

They are being transported to Kapuskasing.

Both Fort Albany and Kashechewan are surrounded by the Albany river and its tributaries.

So far, the evacuations in both communities involve only children, the elderly and those with medical issues.

River conditions are being monitored to determine if any further evacuations are necessary.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is also watching how an ice jam behaves on the Moose River, which could raise water levels around Moosonee and Moose Factory.