Sioux Lookout Hosting Flood Evacuees
A State of Emergency has been declared in Sioux Lookout.
The declaration allows the municipality to host evacuees from Bearskin Lake First Nation.
The remote community, about 425-kilometres north of Sioux Lookout, is being evacuated due to a severe flood threat.
An ice jam along the Severn River has caused the water to rise rapidly and resulted in the community being cut off from the airport and vital resources.
150-people will be in Sioux Lookout by the end of the day, with evacuations starting yesterday. (Wednesday)
Residents are being airlifted with the use of helicopters from various locations within the Reserve to their airport, and then flown to Sioux Lookout via a Dash 7 and Dash 8 aircraft.
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is making its Sioux Lookout aircraft hanger available to receive and register evacuees, who will then be transported to local accommodations.
Michelle Larose is the Chief Administrative Officer and Chair of the Sioux Lookout Emergency Control Group and she says an Information Centre will be set-up at the host hotel today (Thursday).
Larose says the Centre will provide information and updates to the evacuees, as well as host toiletries, snacks and other items needed to ensure everyone’s needs are met.
Thunder Bay will be hosting 180-evacuees, while Kenora has been listed as a possible site for assistance.
An Emergency Declaration ensures that resources are made available and any costs incurred by the Municipality resulting from the assistance provided, are covered by the provincial and/or federal governments.
