St. Catharines, Ont., MPP Jennie Stevens is urging the province to provide financial assistance for residents and businesses in her area facing “devastating flood damage, displacement and unexpected costs,” following a significant storm that hit parts of the region on Monday night.
The New Democrat MPP reached out to Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack, requesting that affected individuals and businesses be made eligible for help under the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program.
This program offers up to $250,000 to people, farmers, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations for emergency expenses, repairs, and replacing essential property after natural disasters like floods, tornadoes, landslides and earthquakes.
“Some residents have been displaced from their homes and are now facing the added cost of hotels, temporary housing, cleanup and repairs,” Stevens shared on Facebook. “For many people, especially seniors on fixed incomes and lower-income families, these are costs they simply cannot absorb overnight.”
“Our community needs help recovering, and the provincial government must respond.”
When contacted by , the ministry stated it’s “working with the City of St. Catharines to assess storm-related flood damage to determine whether there are any areas affected by overflowing creeks, rivers or lakes where uninsured damage may be eligible for assistance under the DRAO program.”
MPP Jennie Stevens wrote to Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack this week asking for support for those impacted by flooding in St. Catharines, Ont. (Diona Macalinga/CBC)
The ministry did not clarify if flooded basements could qualify for disaster recovery funds.
Stevens mentioned her office is receiving emails, calls and messages from residents throughout the city whose homes have sustained serious flood damage.
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A photo of a ruined trail was posted by the City of St. Catharines to Facebook on July 28 in the aftermath of torrential rain that fell on city streets.(City of St. Catharines)
Another woman who also recently lost her husband reported getting water in her basement up to mid-thigh level. A contractor warned her mold can develop quickly so he suggested leaving home due to bacteria risks.
Others voiced frustration over difficulties reaching overwhelmed insurance companies or restoration services just trying get them out there ASAP for assessments.
The province’s disaster recovery program typically doesn’t cover damages due sewer backups unless low-income households qualify under special provisions but Stevens pointed out an Environment & Climate Change Canada meteorologist verified flash flooding resulted from this storm.
The City Of St. Catharines similarly stated through its announcement indicating this flooding stemmed from severe weather conditions rather than infrastructure issues.
Other regions within Ontario benefited previously via similar programs such as earlier July when provincial announcements activated disaster aid assistance towards Ottawa Sudbury along six other communities struck by floods.
Burlington & Mississauga cities too announced late-2024 available funding helping victims afflicted through creek-related deluge incidents occurring during mid-summer months
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‘The little wins keep us going:’ resident
The overnight rainstorm mostly affected residents in St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Megan Ireland’s home on Tecumseh Street in St. Catharines’ north end experienced significant basement flooding. Ankle-deep brown water damaged a basement bedroom along with flooring, furnace, water tank, electronics, couch and possibly dryer as well. However, she said the hardest part was seeing her six-year-old daughter upset about losing things that mattered to her like cherished dolls. “She came down to see the flood [and] see her stuffies and her clothes floating through the sewage,” she told . “That was the worst part.” Ireland noted that other houses on her street had their basements ruined too; however her flood insurance only covers $10,000 which is “nothing in a circumstance like this.” She fears repairs could cost four or five times more than that amount. “It’s been devastating,” she said. “It’s tough to clean the basement for long: my eyes burn; I feel dizzy and nauseous. So who knows what is in the air; [the] long-term effects?” If there’s any silver lining here it’s how neighbors have come together during this crisis. “Friends and family have rallied bringing food; donating fans; dehumidifiers; air purifiers; offering donated furniture down the line; even baking some sourdough,” she said. “The little wins keep us going. That part has been beautiful.” On Stevens’ Facebook page there were many comments from others sharing their stories of damage while expressing concern over how they’ll manage all of it financially regarding cleanup and restoration. One woman who identified herself as a senior widow stated that flooding in her basement has caused a lot of stress as she waits for news from her insurance company. “[It’s] one more terrible thing to have to deal with,” she expressed.Source link
