The Ontario government is providing $5.5 million to 22 small municipalities affected by significant weather events in 2022. Funding will assist with the clearing of downed trees and other debris as well as forest regeneration to protect against future weather risks like forest fires.
“We heard from small municipalities hardest hit by last year’s extreme weather that they need support to address public safety concerns,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
In 2022, parts of southern and eastern Ontario experienced severe weather events – including a damaging thunderstorm in May and tornado in July – damaging public roads and forest access roads, as well as thousands of hectares of Crown and private forests.
The funding is being provided on a one-time basis for municipalities that sought financial support to assist with clean up and forest regeneration efforts.
“Our residents have been living under an umbrella of fear since the July 24th tornado worrying about potential forest fires and flooding,” said Don DeGenova, Mayor of Tweed. “Tweed Municipal Council and staff worked tirelessly with the province for assistance on behalf of those residents.”
Flooding is the costliest natural hazard in terms of property damage in Ontario. Wildland fire season in Ontario runs from April 1 to October 31.
For information about how to be prepared for different emergencies, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/
source: media release, Government of Ontario
Fire Photo by //unsplash.com/it/@venturecreative?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&;utm_content=creditCopyText">Caleb Cook on Unsplash
