Iroquois Falls – The Ontario government is activating the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program for the Town of Iroquois Falls and neighbouring unincorporated territory in the Nellie Lake area. The safety of those affected by this natural disaster is the government’s top priority.
In late April and May 2023, the area around Nellie Lake – including the Town of Iroquois Falls and the neighbouring unincorporated territory – experienced heavy rain and unseasonably hot weather. This resulted in a higher than usual amount of snowmelt which caused water levels to rise rapidly, flooding homes in the area. On May 26, 2023, the Town of Iroquois Falls declared a state of emergency due to flooding.
“I want to thank the municipal staff, volunteers, and emergency responders who went above and beyond to support the people impacted by flooding in the Nellie Lake area this past spring,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government will continue working with our community partners to help affected families get back on their feet.”
The disaster assistance program applies to a primary residence and its basic contents, or to a small business, farm or not-for-profit organization. It provides assistance for emergency expenses and the costs to repair or replace essential property following a natural disaster not covered by insurance. Secondary residences and cottages are not eligible for assistance.
To find out if they may be eligible for assistance if they are in the activation area, and for next steps, individuals, small businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations should review the maps and program guidelines available at ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance, and email disasterassistance@ontario.ca or call 1-877-822-0116 after speaking with their private insurance provider. Residents with no insurance coverage or whose insurance coverage is insufficient to cover essential costs have until March 13, 2024 to apply for assistance through the program.