The Town of Bracebridge, Ontario is asking residents whose homes were damaged by spring flooding to come forward by Monday, June 8, 2026. The town is collecting information from affected homeowners to help the province decide whether to activate the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program, which could provide financial help for repairs.
The town posted the call on May 29, 2026, making it clear that the provincial program has not yet been activated for Bracebridge. “DRAO has not yet been activated for Bracebridge,” the town stated, adding that residents can learn more about the program by contacting the province directly.
Mayor Rick Maloney has called this year’s flooding the second-worst flood event for the region. “I’m not going to say officially but you know from my perspective it’s darn close to 2019,” he said, referring to the 2019 flood that led to the province activating the same assistance program for Bracebridge and Huntsville.
The April flooding displaced at least four families into motels, with one more household relocated through a community paramedics program, according to Arfona Zwiers of the District of Muskoka. Even the iconic Santa’s Village theme park was partially flooded just before its opening season.
To be considered for the current property assessment, homeowners must have damage from river or creek overflow or overland flooding. The damage should affect essential parts of the home like furnaces, hot water tanks, or structural elements. Owners must also agree to a site visit and be willing to discuss their damages and insurance coverage.
The town stressed that only primary residences are eligible, not cottages or seasonal properties. Residents who want to take part need to contact Deputy Fire Chief Mike Peake by the June 8 deadline. He can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 705-645-8258 extension 3402.
In 2019, when the province activated the disaster recovery program for Bracebridge, it helped residents cover costs like emergency expenses and repairs not covered by insurance. The current call for properties is a standard first step before the province can decide whether to activate the program again. According to the Town of Bracebridge, there is no guarantee the program will be activated.
