Ontario Government Activates Disaster Recovery Assistance to Support Residents in the Ottawa River Area

May 7, 2019 11:00 A.M.

TORONTO – Our government is acting swiftly and notifying the municipalities of Ottawa, Clarence-Rockland, Champlain and Alfred and Plantagenet that we have activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program in areas affected by recent overland flooding from the Ottawa River. The safety of those affected by this natural disaster is our government’s top priority.

Heavy rainfall and snow melt have led to severe flooding across eastern Ontario. The municipalities of Ottawa, Clarence-Rockland and Alfred and Plantagenet have declared a state of emergency due to flooding. Several hundred primary homes and small businesses in the municipalities have been impacted. The City of Ottawa reported that 155 households at risk from rising water were voluntarily evacuated as water levels in the Ottawa River were near or above the historic peaks reached in 2017.

The disaster assistance program applies to a primary residence and its basic contents, or to a small business, farm or not-for-profit organization. It provides assistance for emergency expenses and the costs to repair or replace essential property following a natural disaster that are not covered by insurance. To find out if they are eligible for assistance, if they are in the activation area and for next steps, individuals, small businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations should review the maps and program guidelines available at ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance, or call 1-844-780-8925 or email [email protected] after speaking with their private insurance provider.

Residents will have until September 4, 2019 to apply for assistance through the program.
The province is continuing to assess damage both in the Ottawa region and other parts of the province. Further disaster assistance activations are expected in the coming days and weeks.
Event type: Flood
Event date: April 19, 2019 – ongoing
Application deadline: September 4, 2019

“Our government acted quickly to activate the disaster recovery assistance program in these municipalities so that those affected by the flood can access the assistance they need,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We will continue working closely with our municipal partners to help keep everyone safe and provide the resources needed. I applaud the bravery of all the volunteers, military personnel, municipal staff, first responders and others on the ground who have been supporting those impacted by flooding.”

“Many thanks to the first responders and all the volunteers who have been so supportive over the last couple of weeks helping neighbours and friends in the flood zone in West Carleton. After the exhausting efforts to keep people safe and protect properties, now comes the hard work of cleaning up,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, MPP for Kanata-Carleton. “With the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, the Ontario Government is offering a hand up for those who need further assistance in moving on from this disastrous flood. As with the relief efforts in the aftermath of the tornado, Premier Ford and the government is committed to our community’s recovery.”

“I am pleased to hear that Minister Clark will be activating the Disaster Relief program for those affected by flooding in Ottawa West-Nepean,” said Jeremy A. Roberts, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean. “While the past two weeks have been difficult, I am encouraged by the incredible community of volunteers and first-responders that have stepped forward to help.”

Julie O’Driscoll ─ Minister’s Office
Julie.O’[email protected]
416-569-0569

Conrad Spezowka ─ Communications
[email protected]
416-585-7066

Ontario Government Activates Disaster Recovery Assistance to Support Residents in the Ottawa River Area

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