Moose Cree First Nation: Public Safety Announcement – Precautionary Evacuation

Press Release

April 15, 2026

Tuesday, – The Emergency Operations Control Group (EOCG) for Moose Factory – made up of Administration and Leadership from Moose Cree First Nation, the Local Services Board, MoCreebec, Mushkegowuk Council, and Weeneebayko Area Health Authority – has made the careful decision to activate Pre‑Emptive, Voluntary Evacuation Plans for our most vulnerable community members at this time as a precaution and to begin registrations for a potential full evacuation.

This decision is based on information and data from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) showing record snowfall accumulation across Northeastern Ontario, with particularly heavy impacts in the Moose River Basin and the waterways that flow directly toward our communities. Combined with the forecasted temperatures and weather patterns in the coming days and weeks, there is an elevated risk of flooding. As a unified leadership group, we believe it is in the interests of community health and safety, to begin offering voluntary evacuation to community members who feel they may be at higher risk or who have greater health or mobility needs.

Effective immediately, the following voluntary measures will be available:

• Community members who have complex or compromised health conditions, have mobility challenges, are in late pregnancy, are recovering from recent surgery, or have children 16 years and younger, and feel they would be safer out of the community during a potential flood situation are encouraged to consider a voluntary evacuation option.

• Community Members who are 60 years of age and older are encouraged to consider a voluntary evacuation option.

• Planning and coordination for voluntary evacuations are in progress. Once arrangements are finalized, information and notifications will be posted.

The Emergency Operations Control Group will continue to meet daily to evaluate and review all available information. Decisions about whether to expand evacuation options to other groups will be made as needed as the situation develops. All community members are encouraged to remain on standby, to prepare your homes, and to prepare yourselves.

All community members are required to register their family and household in advance.

A pre-evacuation registry station will be set up at the TCJMC Community Hall beginning Wednesday, April 15th at 9:00 am to 4 pm daily. This registration is to support emergency planning, coordination, and safety of all residents.

You may also register at www.moosecree.com/evacuation/

Households will be required to provide information such as number of people in households, names, age/DOB’s, any pets, dietary restrictions, allergies, indication if they are going to camp along with camp location information, etc.

If you are unsure whether you or a family member should consider voluntary evacuation, please email spring2026@moosecree.com to discuss your situation.

Community members who have made plans to go to their Spring Hunting Camps are encouraged to continue with those plans. Please provide camp locations and ensure sites are not within flood-prone areas. If you choose to camp in flood‑prone areas despite these conditions, please be aware that you may be placing yourself and those who may be called upon to assist you at higher risk. If you do go out on the land, it is very important that you monitor conditions closely, maintain regular contact with others, and ensure that someone always knows where you are and how to reach you.

Thank you for your attention to this announcement. Further updates will be issued as required and shared through multiple channels, including printed notices, social media, official websites, the Moose Cree app, local TV community channels and local radio.

ILR5