FLOOD VICTIMS CAN NOW APPLY FOR PROVINCIAL AID

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

QUEEN’S PARK, TORONTO — The Flood of 2019 isn’t anywhere near over, and as aid continues to pour in for victims, the province which has been criticized for its handling of the disaster is coming to the table with possible funding for those affected.

On Thursday Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, signed an order to activate the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program for Huntsville and Bracebridge in response to the ongoing flooding in the area.

The DRAO program applies to a primary residence and its basic contents, or to a small business, farm or not-for-profit organization, says a release by MPP Norm Miller.

DRAO provides assistance to those without private insurance coverage for emergency expenses like hotel accommodations and repair or replacement of essentials like kitchen appliances and basic furniture following a natural disaster.

The government release adds: It is important to note that this program is not intended to replace insurance and individuals should turn to their own insurance provider first.

Bracebridge has been receiving a lot of flood coverage from the media, including the CBC, which was reporting on Tuesday about the potential for more rain this week.

“I want to thank our terrific municipal leaders and staff and all the first responders, military reservists and volunteers who are helping those affected by the flooding,” said Miller, the provincial member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka.

“It is heartbreaking to see the damage to people’s homes,” said Miller in the release, after he said he was in Bracebridge, Huntsville, Katrine and Magnetawan to see firsthand the devastation caused by the flooding and speak to local officials and residents.

“Our first priority is the safety of everyone involved including residents and emergency personnel. When the floods have subsided and the danger has passed, that will be the time to rebuild and consider how we plan for increasingly extreme weather events like this in the future.”

He adde: “I also want to thank minister Clark for recognizing the devastating situation, working with our local officials and acting as quickly as he has to activate the DRAO program for Bracebridge and Huntsville.”

Miller’s release said the ministry is continuing to visit impacted communities across Parry Sound-Muskoka and around Ontario and is expected to activate the program in other communities as needed.

For more information on eligibility and what the program will cover, individuals, small business owners, and not-for-profit organizations can review program guidelines available at ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance, or call 1-844-780-8925 or email [email protected] after speaking with their private insurance provider. Notification of this activation and maps of the areas eligible will be online later this week.