Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

speakup

TORONTO - Residents are still being flown out of the northern Ontario First Nation community of Attawapiskat because of the threat of flooding.

The provincial government says the breakup of the ice covering the Attawapiskat River could pose a significant flood risk in the community, on the James Bay coast 500 kilometres north of Timmins. Local leaders have decided to evacuate more than 1,070 residents so far.

A group of 900 have already been airlifted to communities across northern Ontario.

A total of 120 more were being flown to Waterloo, Ont., Monday and more are to follow Tuesday.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is co-ordinating the flights and Emergency Management Ontario officials are working with host communities to receive the Attawapiskat residents.

"Our first priority is the safety of Attawapiskat residents," Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci said Monday in a release.

"Our government is deeply appreciative of the host communities who are so generously extending their hospitality to their fellow Ontarians during this trying time for the people of Attawapiskat."