NORTHWESTERN—After so many Northwestern Ontario municipalities waiting for flood waters to subside and still monitoring the damage resulting form the severe flooding experienced by their communities, a long awaited announcement has finally arrived. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, for Northwestern Ontario communities.
The region witnessed the damaging affects of the heavy rainfall and quick spring snow melt, that caused widespread flooding not only in several of their municipalities, but also in areas recognized as unincorporated areas, in the area.
According to their resent announcement by Ministry acknowledged that, “The flooding caused damage to primary residences and small businesses in many communities in the area, including Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Ear Falls in Kenora District, as well as various parts of Rainy River District.”
Environment Canada, Northwestern Ontario reported that Northwestern Ontario, “has seen 312 per cent more precipitation in April and May 2022 compared to last year.”
Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River and Ontario Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, experienced first hand some of the effects of the severe flooding experienced by households in the Fort Frances area. He commented about this experience, describing his participation to help emergency response crews and local citizens with sandbagging efforts.
“On June 8, I was back in the Fort Frances area helping government officials, emergency response crews and residents with sandbagging efforts. I had the opportunity to meet with members of the community and see more effects of record water levels. I joined a technical briefing with Fort Frances stakeholders and a local Indigenous community, and participated in an aerial assessment of flooding areas and dam infrastructure. I know there is more work to be done but I would like to extend my gratitude to the hardworking fire crews, staff and residents who have committed their time to keep communities safe,” stated Rickford.
During his visit to the Fort Frances area, Rickford was able to personally witness the damaging effects of record water levels on the community, and spoke with stakeholders and Indigenous community members, to ascertain the detrimental effects of the flooding, to resident homes, roads, businesses, and dam infrastructure.
The Minister commented on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announcement to activate the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program for these areas in Northwestern Ontario. Rickford encouraged all those impacted by this to seek assistance and visit the provided websites to apply for this program.
“I am also aware that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program in the Rainy River District and parts of the Kenora District in Northwestern Ontario. I encourage individuals, small businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations to visit ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance, call 1-877-822-0116 or email [email protected] after speaking with their private insurance provider,” said Rickford.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing gave further details about how this funding would work. “The disaster assistance program applies to a primary residence and its basic contents, or to a small business, farm or not-for-profit organization. Following a natural disaster, it may provide assistance for basic emergency and clean up expenses and the costs to repair or replace essential property not covered by insurance.”
In addition, residents with no insurance coverage, or whose insurance coverage is not enough to cover the basic costs, were informed that they have until Oct. 7, 2022 to apply for assistance through the program.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, indicated that it will continue to provide updates on their website, giving relevant information to individuals, small businesses, farms, and not-to-profit organizations in the affected areas. The Ministry announcement also shared a map that demonstrates the Disaster Recovery Assistance areas that can apply for the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program.
To view this map go to: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnGqiSym9265hAt_Mr9vLEWer54f
