As part of our ongoing efforts to support Ward 9 residents impacted by the July 1 extreme weather event, we are continuing to issue these Special Bulletins, in addition to our regular Ward 9 Newsletter. While not everyone on our subscription list has been directly impacted by this crisis, you may know other people who may have been affected. We are also finding that many people who have been impacted haven’t reported it yet or may only recently have returned home and discovered damage. Our next Ward 9 Newsletter will be issued on August 4.
Thanks,
Sean
----
Flood Recovery Information Sessions
The City of Ottawa is continuing its flood recovery information sessions for residents affected by the July 1 extreme weather event. City staff and community partners, including the Canadian Red Cross, will be available to answer questions about financial assistance, insurance, flood cleanup and safety, building permits, waste disposal, and available grant programs.
Residents can visit Ben Franklin Place (101 Centrepointe Drive, 2nd Floor) on Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24, from 2–6 p.m., and Saturday, July 25, from 10am to 2pm. Additional City staff will be on-site to help residents complete applications for the Compassionate Grant Program and the Residential Protective Plumbing Program. Residents are encouraged to bring any available documentation related to flood damage, repairs, or insurance claims.
Together After the Storm
Residents affected by the recent flooding are invited to attend a community drop-in hosted by the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Community Resource Centre (NROCRC) on Thursday, July 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 1547 Merivale Road, Suite 200 (Emerald Plaza).
The session offers an opportunity to connect with neighbours, share experiences, and access community support during the recovery process. All are welcome.
DRAO Update
While the Graham Creek area has already been designated for Ontario's Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program, many residents have asked whether other parts of Ward 9 will be included.
The City has formally requested that the Province expand the designated DRAO area and has submitted detailed information on flood impacts across Ottawa, including more than 6,400 flooded basements, damage mapping, and ongoing reports from affected residents. Along with my Council colleagues and the Mayor's Office, I continue to advocate for all of Ottawa's hardest-hit communities—including all of Ward 9—to be considered.
It's important to note that decisions about DRAO boundaries and eligibility are made entirely by the Province, not the City. The Province has indicated that DRAO is generally intended for river and creek flooding, while sewer backup damage is typically considered an insurable event. However, some low-income homeowners may still qualify for assistance if they live within the Province's designated DRAO area.
I know many residents are frustrated by the uncertainty. We have made it clear to the Province that significant flood impacts were felt well beyond the current boundaries, and we will continue pressing for support for all affected residents while providing the Province with additional information as it becomes available.
Graham Creek investigation
Following the July 1 flood, Council approved my motion directing staff to take a closer look at the Graham Creek watershed and the disproportionate impacts experienced in our communities. The goal is not only to understand what happened, but also to identify practical short-, medium-, and long-term solutions to reduce future flood risk and improve resilience throughout the watershed.
Earlier today, I joined the City's Director of Asset Management for a site visit along Graham Creek in Trend-Arlington. The Director and I have worked together on several stormwater management initiatives, and I wanted to show him firsthand the extraordinary scale of what residents experienced on July 1. In some locations, residents estimate the creek rose approximately 30 feet above its normal level, while a channel typically about 10 feet wide expanded to more than 70 feet across. We also visited three of the hardest-hit properties, including homes on Canfield Road where residents described water flowing through their properties for nearly 20 hours. Our discussions focused on the need to consider practical, "off-the-shelf" solutions that may help prevent similar impacts in the future. As was approved in my motion, the Director committed to a comprehensive investigation that will involve other levels of government as the City works to better understand what occurred and what improvements may be required.
Work on that investigation is already underway. City staff have completed initial inspections of Graham Creek, documenting erosion, debris accumulation, channel conditions, and other storm-related impacts. Staff are now mapping the entire creek corridor, planning drone surveys, analyzing flood reports and service requests, reviewing previous flood studies, and coordinating with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and engineering consultants. The ultimate objective is to identify opportunities for both public and private flood-mitigation measures and develop recommendations to improve flood resilience throughout the Graham Creek watershed.
While Graham Creek has been an important early focus, my motion was always intended to take a broader look at flood impacts across Wards 7, 8, and 9. In the weeks ahead, I will be turning my attention to other hard-hit areas in Ward 9, including Carleton Heights and General Burns, where residents experienced very different flooding circumstances. Understanding those unique local conditions—whether related to drainage patterns, stormwater infrastructure, overland flow routes, or other factors—will be critical to ensuring that the City's investigation results in meaningful recommendations and solutions for all affected communities.
Storm-related debris collection update - Contact 3-1-1
Residents are, understandably, moving through the flood clean-up process at different speeds. While some are ready to dispose of flood-damaged materials, others are still working through insurance assessments, documenting damage, or making decisions about repairs.
Residents affected by the heavy rainfall on July 1 may request storm-related waste collection beyond the standard three-item limit.
If you have waste from the July 1 extreme weather event that needs to be collected and you haven’t submitted a service request for basement flooding, follow these steps for additional storm waste pick up:
- Place all eligible materials at the curb
- Submit a service request for garbage collection or call 3-1-1
- Select ‘storm-related waste’, which is the final option at the bottom of the drop-down menu under ‘What is the issue?’.
If your insurance company needs to review damaged items before they are disposed of, please wait to submit your service request until the materials are ready for collection.
Note: Storm-related waste is being collected by separate garbage trucks, not through your regular weekly waste collection. Please leave all waste at the curb, then submit a service request, and a collection will be scheduled.
Property Tax Relief for Flood-Damaged Properties
Residents whose homes or buildings were significantly impacted by the July 1 flooding event may be eligible for a property tax cancellation, reduction, or refund from the City of Ottawa. Eligibility may apply where a building was destroyed, rendered substantially unusable, or where repairs prevented its normal use for three months or longer.
Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2027 and require supporting documentation such as photographs, insurance reports, and details of the damage and repairs. For more information or to obtain an application form, contact Revenue Services at 613-580-2444.
Furniture Assistance for Flood-Affected Residents
The City of Ottawa, in partnership with Matthew House Ottawa and Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, is providing furniture assistance to eligible households affected by the July 1 flooding event. City staff are contacting residents who may qualify; however, residents who have not been contacted and require furniture assistance are encouraged to call 311.
Residents interested in donating furniture to support flood recovery efforts can find information on accepted items and donation procedures through Matthew House Ottawa. This initiative will help affected households replace essential furnishings as they continue the recovery process.
Consider a Backwater Valve
As many residents continue their flood recovery efforts, now may also be a good time to consider measures that can help reduce the risk of future flooding. One option is a backwater valve, a device installed on your home's sewer connection that can help prevent sewage from backing up into your basement during extreme weather events. Here’s a short video that helps explain the function of a backwater valve.
The City of Ottawa's Residential Protective Plumbing Program may provide financial assistance for eligible protective plumbing measures, including backwater valves. Residents interested in learning more about eligibility, rebates, and installation requirements can visit the City's Residential Protective Plumbing Program webpage. This is not a guarantee against future flooding, but it may be an important part of a broader flood-protection strategy for your home.