Lincoln, ON – (August 27, 2026) – The Town of Lincoln is formally requesting that the Province of Ontario consider activating the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program following the recent flooding events that affected the community.
Since July 31, the Town has been collecting detailed information about the impacts experienced across Lincoln, including the areas affected, the timing and severity of flooding, and the ways residents, businesses and properties have been impacted.
This information is an important part of the Town's role in supporting the Province's assessment. The Town has also continued to advocate for flood recovery assistance through meetings with provincial representatives at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference and through ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The Town is asking residents who have experienced flooding and have not yet reported their impacts to do so by August 31, 2026, by completing the flood impact form at Lincoln.ca/Flooding.
“Every report helps us build the most complete and accurate picture possible of what our community has experienced,” said Mayor Sandra Easton. “We know many residents have been through an incredibly difficult time, and we want them to know that we have continued to advocate for support and have worked to ensure the Province has the information needed to assess Lincoln's situation.”
Once the Town submits the available information and formally requests consideration for DRAO, the decision on whether and where to activate the program rests with the Province.
The Town recognizes that residents may have questions about what provincial assistance could mean for their individual circumstances. At this time, the DRAO program has not been activated for any area in Lincoln, and applications are not currently being accepted.
In recent discussions with the Ministry, the Town was reminded that DRAO is not intended to replace private insurance. Consistent with disaster assistance programs across Canada, the availability of insurance is an important factor in determining whether the program may be activated.
The Province is working with the Town to assess storm-related flood damage and determine whether there are areas where uninsured damage resulting from the overflow of creeks, rivers or lakes may meet the program's criteria.
This means that, if DRAO is activated, assistance may not necessarily be available to every resident or every type of flood damage, however, the Town is actively advocating for all areas of Lincoln to be eligible. Eligibility depends on the Province's decision, the geographic area covered by any activation, the cause of the flooding, the availability of insurance and the specific eligibility requirements of the program.
“Our responsibility has been to provide the Province with as complete and accurate a picture as possible and to continue advocating for our community at every opportunity,” said Chief Administrative Officer Michael Kirkopoulos. “We know that uncertainty is difficult for residents who are already dealing with the impacts of flooding. While the final decision is not within the Town's control, we remain committed to sharing information openly and helping residents understand what supports may be available as soon as we receive further direction from the Province.”
Residents affected by flooding are encouraged to continue working with their insurance providers to understand what coverage may be available under their policies.
The Town will share further information with the community as soon as it is available.
Residents who have not yet reported flood impacts are encouraged to complete the Flood Impact Form by August 31, 2026 at .
Background: Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians
The Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program provides financial assistance to eligible individuals, small businesses, farmers and not-for-profit organizations following certain natural disasters. The program is intended to help with essential property damage and losses where insurance coverage is unavailable.
DRAO is not an ongoing program and is only available when it is activated by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for an eligible disaster. Activation may be considered when a sudden, unexpected and extraordinary natural disaster causes costly and widespread damage to eligible private property that is not covered by insurance. The program has most often been activated following flooding caused by the overflow of rivers, creeks or lakes, where insurance coverage is not generally available.
At this time, DRAO has not been activated for any area in Lincoln. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is assessing information provided by the Town to determine whether any areas may meet the criteria for assistance.
Residents who experienced flooding should contact their insurance provider to determine whether their losses are covered. If DRAO is activated in an eligible area, applicants will still be required to first pursue available insurance coverage. Any costs covered by insurance would need to be identified as part of a DRAO application, along with documentation from the insurer outlining the coverage available and the cause and extent of the loss.
DRAO assistance is intended to help restore essential property to a safe and basic condition. For example, basement-related assistance may include eligible cleanup and basic components required to make an area safe, but may not cover the replacement of finished basement features, flooring, furnishings or other non-essential items.
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