Home / Disasters and Accidents / Ontario Denies Flood Aid to Lincoln Residents
Ontario Denies Flood Aid to Lincoln Residents
2 Nov
Summary
- Province denied disaster relief funding for Lincoln flood victims.
- Reason for denial: Residents reportedly had adequate private insurance.
- St. Catharines also seeks aid, facing similar provincial hurdles.
Residents of Lincoln, Ontario, have been denied provincial disaster relief funding following severe rainstorms that caused extensive flooding in late July and early August. The province's Municipal Affairs Ministry rejected the Town of Lincoln's formal request for the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program.
The ministry's decision was based on the assessment that affected residents possessed adequate private insurance, thus not meeting the program's eligibility criteria. This outcome has left Mayor Sandra Easton disheartened, as many community members continue to grapple with the aftermath of a difficult period.
The DRAO program typically provides financial assistance for emergency expenses, essential repairs, and replacement of property after natural disasters. The town had hosted a provincial disaster assessment team in September, which evaluated 16 properties for eligibility.
Separately, the City of St. Catharines is also petitioning the province for DRAO activation to support thousands of homes inundated by sewage-laden water. These storms are estimated to have caused $360 million in damages across the Niagara region. However, the Municipal Affairs Minister stated that sewage backup flooding does not qualify for the program, distinguishing it from overland flooding.
