Wawa crisis update: Evacuation of Michipicoten First Nation begins
Saturday, October 27, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
OPP NEWS RELEASE
*****************************
State of emergency in Wawa - Evacuation of Michipicoten First Nation
WAWA - The Ontario Provincial Police Superior East Wawa Detachment advise that Highway 17 at Wawa continues to be closed both north bound and south bound.
The highway has been closed as a result of high levels of water has caused the road to erode away.
Detouring around the area requires north bound traffic to travel Highway 144 to Timmins and from there Highway 11 west bound.
South bound traffic travel Highway 631 off of Highway 17 in White River.
Then follow Highway 11 east bound to Highway 144 to Sudbury, Ontario.
Highway 101 just east of Wawa remains open.
OPP want to remind the motorists that are using the alternate highways to go around the Wawa area that after 10 p.m. fuel will become increasing difficult to purchase.
Please ensure your vehicle is fuelled up prior to heading out.
The State of Emergency continues for the Municipality of Wawa.
Work continues on the road into the Michipicoten First Nation.
Phase one evacuation is scheduled to start at noon today for the First Nation Community.
Approximately 25 people will be flown out of the community into Wawa by Wilderness Helicopters.
This includes the elderly, persons with medical concerns and mothers with children.
The Michipicoten First Nation and the Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) along with the assistance of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Red Cross and Wawa and Area Victim Services (WAVS) will be executing the evacuation.
The Municipality of Wawa is arranging for accommodations and meals for the evacuees.
Work continues on Highway 17 both north and south bound.
A request for more road equipment has been made by the Municipality.
All agencies involved want the Trans Canada Highway open and safe to travel as soon as possible.
Phone lines and 911 services in Dubreuilville, Hawk Junction and Missinabie continue to not be available.
The OPP is working jointly with Michipicoten First Nation and the Municipality of Wawa to ensure that public safety is the priority.
It is important that the public use caution when travelling in the area.
*****************************
