TORONTO - Some 900 people are being evacuated Sunday from a First Nation's community along the coast of James Bay due to fears of flooding.
The continued threat of flooding has prompted the leaders of Attawapiskat to broaden the evacuation of their community, located about 500 kilometres north of Timmins.
Some 300 of the area's most at-risk residents including the sick, elderly and infants have already been airlifted out of the region to Kapuskasing and Hearst.
About 600 other community members were expected to be airlifted to Thunder Bay and Greenstone by the end of the day.
Officials say another 600 residents could be flown to safety in the coming days should the flooding threat become more imminent.
The airlift is being co-ordinated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
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Article online since May 11st 2008, 0:00
Steven Guilbeault - Environment Column
Richard Cléroux - National Columnist
