The province has started to activate the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontario program for our region.
The government says heavy precipitation and snowmelt has caused widespread flooding causing damage to homes, businesses and properties in several communities and lists Sioux Lookout, Ignace, Ear Falls, Kenora as well as various parts of Rainy River.
Red Lake, Dryden and Machin are also included in the provincially released coverage map.
The 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.
Residents with no insurance coverage or whose insurance coverage is insufficient to cover essential costs have until October 7 to apply for assistance through the program.
According to Environment Canada, Northwestern Ontario has seen 312 per cent more precipitation in April and May compared to last year.
For more information on making an application visit Disaster Assistance, call 1-877-822-0116 or email disasterassistance@ontario.ca after speaking with a private insurance provider.
The province says the ministry will be updating its website with additional information for individuals, small businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations in the affected areas.
Meantime, Kenora-Rainy River MPP-elect Greg Rickford has toured flood ravaged Fort Frances.
He was there Wednesday to view the damage for the first time.
Rickford did not meet with the media and no mention was given if any request will be made to launch support from the federal government.
He did issue the following statement:
On June 8th, 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.
Below is the declared Disaster Recovery Assistance Ontario zone for northwestern Ontario:
