Flood Emergencies

Flood Emergency Response and Safety Information

Q: I believe that the flooding that affected my home/small business was due to creek flooding, but my property is not included in a DRAO activation area. Can I submit a DRAO application for consideration anyway?

Please visithttps://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-disaster-recovery-assistancefor information on the application process.

The City of Burlington is continuing to recover from the flooding on July 15 and July 16. Grants and programs are available to help residents recover from flooding in July 2024.

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians

The City of Burlington is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is activating the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program to provide much needed support for residents in designated areas of Burlington alongside creeks after flooding in July. The City welcomes this important financial support.

The DRAO program is administered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and provides financial assistance to individuals, small owner-operated businesses, farmers and not-for-profit organizations after a natural disaster.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced that designated areas in Burlington that were affected by flooding alongside creeks are eligible to apply for funding through the DRAO program. Within the activation areas, damage caused by sewer backup flooding is only eligible if a household is low-income as defined in the DRAO guidelines.

To find out if you are eligible for assistance and for next steps, individuals should review activation areas and program guidelines available at:

ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance

If you have any questions relating to the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, you can contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as follows:

Call: 1-877-822-0116 after speaking with your private insurance provider. 
disasterassistance@ontario.ca after speaking with your private insurance provider.

City of Burlington Flood Recovery Grant

City of Burlington’s Flood Relief Grant ($1,000) can help residents to either offset the cost of an insurance deductible or help with flooding-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy.

The deadline to call 311 to arrange an inspection is 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2024.

City of Burlington Building Permit/Zoning Certificate Fee Flood Relief Program

The Building Permit/Zoning Certificate Fee Flood Relief Program covers the cost of building permit and zoning certificate fees for homeowners completing interior renovations following flood damage from the severe weather event on July 15 and 16.

The deadline to submit an applications is 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2024.

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why aren’t all affected Burlington properties included within the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) activation areas?

The focus of DRAO is flood damage from area creeks where flood insurance is more difficult to acquire. Only residents in the activation areas are eligible to apply for assistance.

The DRAO program is not a replacement for insurance and does not cover all damage. Damage caused by sewer backup flooding is only eligible if a household is low-income as defined in the DRAO guidelines.

Where can I get more information about the DRAO program including how to apply if I am in an activation area?

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website provides information on:

Eligibility
Eligibility caps
How to submit an application
Who to contact for assistance if you have questions after reading the program guidelines or are having trouble with the application form
Reconsideration (appeal) process

Please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-disaster-recovery-assistance for more information.

I believe that the flooding that affected my home/small business was due to creek flooding, but my property is not included in a DRAO activation area. Can I submit a DRAO application for consideration anyway?

Please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-disaster-recovery-assistance for information on the application process.

Why is the special provision for low-income households only applicable to the DRAO activation areas?

This special provision, and all details regarding eligibility, are administered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-disaster-recovery-assistance for more details.

What financial support is available for activated areas for the DRAO program?

Eligible applicants within the activation areas can receive financial assistance for emergency expenses and costs for repair or replacement of essential property. The intent of the program is to return essential property to its basic function. The program covers the cost of returning property to a basic standard, and cannot be used for making improvements. Financial assistance under the program is subject to caps and deductibles. Each application is assessed on an individual basis, and reimbursement amounts will vary.

Available insurance coverage must be used first to cover eligible damage, with any remaining uninsured damage being eligible for assistance under Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians. Insurance deductibles are not eligible.

Please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-disaster-recovery-assistance for more information.

How did City staff work with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to provide them the information to help the Minister make the decision on whether to activate the DRAO program?

Following the July 15 and 16 flood, the City and Halton Region facilitated a damage assessment visit by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Provincial Damage Assessment Team. The purpose of the visit was to assess the damage from flooding caused by creeks. City staff also provided requested information to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding areas impacted by creek flooding based on available information. This essential funding will provide support to community members as they work toward recovery.

Flood Emergency Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I get help during and after a flood?

Are you or someone else in immediate danger?

If there is immediate danger, dial 9-1-1.

Do you have a flooded basement?

Take immediate health and safety precautions. Visit halton.ca/flood for information about how to prevent illness and injury.
- Call Halton Region at 3-1-1. You can also reach the Halton Region contact centre at 905-825-6000, or toll-free at 1-866-442-5866, TTY: 905-827-9833;
Contact your home or business insurance provider.
- The City cannot provide advice to private homeowners about insurance policies. If you do not have home or contents insurance, contact your preferred insurance company or broker to obtain an insurance policy.
- The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has activated their virtual Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion to assist residents with questions related to insurance.
  
  IBC can be contacted:
  - By phone at 1-844-227-5422
  - By email at ONCIC@ibc.ca
  Information on filing an insurance claim is available on their website.
Access mental health resources for support. Recovering from a flood can be difficult and very stressful. Distress Centre Halton provides 24/7 support for people experiencing emotional stress. If you need help, Burlington residents can call 905-681-1488.

Visit halton.ca/flood for more information on what to do if your basement has flooded. This page also includes information on how to apply for the Halton Region Enhanced Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program.

Who do I call with flood concerns and support?

In addition to flooded basements, contact Halton Region for:

Regional subsidy programs
- Halton Region’s Ex-gratia Grant ($1,000) for Public Sewer Backup can help residents to either offset the cost of an insurance deductible or help with in-home flooding-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy.
- To be eligible for the Ex-gratia grant, property owners must report in-home flooding, regardless of the source, to Halton Region by calling 311 or emailing accesshalton@halton.ca. Halton Region Public Works staff will follow up as soon as possible to investigate. The grant will be available if Public Works staff have determined that:
  - A blockage occurred on the municipal side of the wastewater system; or
  - The wastewater backup was the result of a sewer surcharge.
  - Visit halton.ca/flood to learn more about steps to take if you experience flooding.
  - Garbage and waste collection for items that were damaged in a flood

Call Halton Region at 3-1-1. You can also reach the Halton Region contact centre at 905-825-6000, or toll-free at 1-866-442-5866, TTY: 905-827-9833, or email at accesshalton@halton.ca.

Contact the City of Burlington for:

Catch basins and maintenance (manholes) overwhelmed with water
Fallen tree branches or downed trees
Flooding outside, on the ground, that will not drain away
Blocked culverts
Flooded City park or facility
Road debris
City of Burlington Flood Relief Grant

Residents with in-house flooding who do not qualify for Halton Region’s Ex-gratia grant can apply for a City grant of $1000. Regional and City grants are only available to those who have reported in-home flooding by calling 311. To be eligible to apply, residents must call 311 to report the flood and arrange an inspection by 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2024.

Call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca.

During an active weather event, response times may be longer than usual.

What flood recovery funding is available and how do I apply?

City of Burlington Flood Relief Grant ($1,000)

You may qualify for financial assistance from The City of Burlington to help with residential flooding-related costs if the following criteria are met:

A flooding event in your residential dwelling occurred in connection to the July 15 or July 16, 2024 weather event and was reported by you to 311;
You are the owner or tenant of the residence;
A representative of the Regional Municipality of Halton investigated the complaint and determined that:
- Water damage occurred within a residential home due to the July 15 or July 16, 2024 extreme weather event; and
- The water damage was not the result of:
  - a blockage on any part of the wastewater system; or
  - wastewater backup as a result of a sewer surcharge; and,
- The application for the Region of Halton Ex-Gratia Grant for Public Sewer Backup was denied for the property; and,
No outstanding orders were issued by the City of Burlington to remedy any violations of the Grading and Drainage By-law No. 052-2018, as amended, the Drainage By-law No. 017-2018, as amended, or the Site Alteration By-law No. 062-2014, as amended.

City of Burlington’s Flood Relief Grant ($1,000) can help residents to either offset the cost of an insurance deductible or help with in-house flooding-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy. Due to high volumes, payments under this program may take four to six weeks to be processed after applications have been received.

To be eligible for the Flood Relief Grant, you must immediately report the flooding to Halton Region. Halton Region Public Works staff will contact you regarding next steps.

Factors that may make you ineligible for the City of Burlington Flood Grant:

applicants who are not registered owners or tenants of the property; and

properties other than residential dwellings; and

damages that are not within the residential home (e.g. water damage to landscaping, pool, deck).

Halton Region Ex-gratia Grant ($1,000)

Halton Region’s Ex-gratia Grant ($1,000) for Public Sewer Backup can help residents to either offset the cost of an insurance deductible or help with in-home flooding-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy.

To be eligible for the Ex-gratia grant, property owners must report in-home flooding, regardless of the source, to Halton Region by calling 311 or emailing accesshalton@halton.ca. Halton Region Public Works staff will follow up as soon as possible to investigate. The grant will be available if Public Works staff have determined that:

A blockage occurred on the municipal side of the wastewater system; or
The wastewater backup was the result of a sewer surcharge.
Visit halton.ca/flood to learn more about steps to take if you experience flooding.
Garbage and waste collection for items that were damaged in a flood

Call Halton Region at 3-1-1. You can also reach the Halton Region contact centre at 905-825-6000, or toll-free at 1-866-442-5866, TTY: 905-827-9833, or email at accesshalton@halton.ca.

Building Permit/Zoning Certificate Fee Flood Relief Program

To qualify for the program, homeowners must meet the following criteria:

Flooding occurred in the residential dwelling in connection with the July 15/July 16, 2024 weather event.
Flooding was reported to Halton Region at 311.
A Halton Region representative has investigated and determined the water damage occurred within a residential dwelling due to the July 15/July 16, 2024 weather event.
Homeowners did not have home insurance coverage or had their insurance claim denied, as confirmed by their insurance company.
Renovations must be like-for-like replacements.
Eligible zoning certificate and building permit applications must be submitted before Dec. 20, 2024.

The following fees for qualified work will be covered as part of the program.

Zoning Certificate Fees:

Residential basement finish
Additional residential unit
Zoning exemption

Building Permit Fees:

Interior alterations/renovations
Additional residential unit

More information

To apply for assistance with a building permit fee, please email Building Permits.

To apply for assistance with a zoning certificate fee, please visit Community Planning.

What flood prevention funding is available and how do I apply?

Prevention Support – City of Burlington

The City of Burlington’s Home Flood Protection Program can help homeowners reduce their risk of basement flooding and minimize damage if flooding occurs. The program offers homeowners up to 50 per cent of the cost of Home Flood Protection Assessments which aim to find potential ways that water/sewage can enter your home. These assessments are done by a trained third-party assessor and can be completed in-person or virtually, based on homeowner preference.

For more information or to apply for the City’s funding, visit our Home Flood Prevention page.

Prevention Support – Halton Region

Halton Region’s enhanced basement flooding prevention subsidy program assists property owners in making home improvements that can reduce the risk of flooding from sewer backup. Property owners are provided with subsidies and access to qualified, licensed contractors, making it easier and more affordable to get necessary prevention work completed.

Regional subsidies include:

Downspout Disconnection: 100 per cent of all eligible costs to disconnect downspouts from the weeping tile, up to a maximum of $500.
Weeping Tile Disconnection and Sump Pump Installation: 100 per cent of the combined eligible costs to disconnect weeping tiles and install a sump pump, up to a maximum of $5,000.
Backwater Valve Installation: 50 per cent of the eligible costs to install a backwater valve inside the home, up to a maximum of $675.
Sewer Lateral (pipe) Lining and Repair: 50 per cent of the eligible costs to repair or line the sewer lateral (pipe), up to a maximum of $2,000.

Residents can visit halton.ca/flood, call 311, or email accesshalton@halton.ca to find program details and instructions on how to apply for a subsidy.

Learn more about flood prevention programs...

Where can I send my concerns?

If you have a concern related to the City’s long-term policies and plans to address the impact of severe storms in our city, please contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca.

How can I prevent floods in my home?

Visit our Home Flood Prevention page for a list of programs and tips for homeowners to help prevent home flooding.