Flood recovery aid opened for residents and small businesses in eight Ontario communities

What happened

• The province activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) for communities hit by spring and July flooding.
• Affected areas named in the release: Ottawa, Armour, Burk’s Falls, French River, Sudbury, Orillia, Ramara, and Kawartha Lakes.
• In Ottawa, more than 150 millimetres of rain fell in parts of the city on July 1, 2026, causing overflow and overland flooding.

Who can apply

• Primary homeowners (for the primary residence and basic contents).
• Small businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations in the named areas.

What the program can cover

• Emergency cleanup expenses.
• Costs to repair or replace essential property.
• Basic emergency expenses such as evacuation costs.

Key limits and rules

• DRAO does not replace private insurance; applicants must file an insurance claim first.
• Sewer backup is generally ineligible.
• Basement and crawl space damage is eligible only to restore those areas to a safe, basic condition; basement finishes and furnishings are not eligible.

How to apply or get more information

• Application deadline: November 16, 2026.
• Website with program guidelines: ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance
• Phone: 1-877-822-0116
• Email: disasterassistance@ontario.ca