Couchiching First Nation could lose 15 homes to flooding

Couchiching First Nation is seeking immediate help from the federal government to help with ongoing flooding that is now putting homes at risk.

"Weneed direction and we need it immediately as we can't wait a week or two with regards to the lake levels," said Christine Jourdaine, Couchiching's emergency response coordinator.

"We need our federal officials to be on board with us and realize the drastic situation we are in."

Jourdaine said erosion along the swollen shores of Rainy Lake is threatening the stability of about 15 homes.

Concerns about contamination

Contaminationfrom septic fieldson somelakeshore properties and from old industrial sites is also a concern, she said.

"The old sawmill sites that used to be located on the First Nation....they're on the lakefront and they're also being eroded and so we don't know what particular contaminates may be leaching now into the water system," Jourdaine said.

Concerns that arose earlier this week about flooding at the cemetery havebeen addressed, she said.

"I can say with gleeful joy here that the cemetery breakwall was put in place...so we have ensured the stability of the cemetery has been taken care of."