Brampton residents can get disaster relief after Churchville area flood

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Published April 1, 2022 at 6:11 pm

Brampton residents who were affected by flooding in February can now apply for compensation from the province.

The City of Brampton announced Friday that the Ontario government has activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program, in response to the recent flood in Churchville area. The program applies to a primary residence and its basic contents, a small business, farm or not-for-profit organization. Funding applies to emergency expenses and the costs to repair or replace essential property not covered by insurance.

In mid-February, Warm weather and rain caused the Credit River to rise and created flooding across the city. Around 100 homes in the Churchville area were evacuated as a precaution, with at least 50 homes suffering damage.

Before applying for disaster relief, residents should speak with their private insurance providers to review coverage and costs.

The deadline to submit an application is July 29. More information on eligibility and coverage, an area map and guidelines can be found at ontario.ca/disasterassistance.

Flood safety tips

Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns mean the residents should be prepared in the event of a flood.

One step, the city says, is clearing any excess debris from catch basins and downspouts so that rain, melting snow and ice can flow freely and have somewhere to go.

If flooding occurs, residents should never attempt to turn off power if it involves walking through water. They should contact Hydro One Brampton to shut off the power.

One should also never step into a room where water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords. Abnormal water accumulation (such as large pools of water on residential streets) can be reported by calling 3-1-1 or emailing [email protected].

Other advance measures include knowing the risks and being aware of any hazards that may affect your home. An emergency kit should also have enough basic supplies that can sustain you for at least 72 hours.

More information and flood safety tips from Brampton’s Emergency Management Office are available at brampton.ca/prepared.

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