Ontario Government Activates Disaster Recovery Assistance Program Following April 2026 Overland Flooding

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Date: 2026-09-18 16:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Emergency, Infrastructure, Environment]

The Ontario government has activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program in specific areas of the Township of Billings, the City of North Bay, the Municipality of Minden Hills, and the Town of Muskoka Lakes following severe overland flooding caused by snowmelt, saturated ground, and repeated rainfall in April 2026. Eligible residents, small businesses, farms, and not-for-profit organizations in the designated activation areas can apply for financial assistance covering emergency expenses, clean-up, and the repair or replacement of essential property not covered by private insurance. Completed assessment information prompted the program expansion following earlier activations on July 17, 2026, with all applications under the current activation due by January 18, 2027.