2026 Flood Support Programs | City of St. Catharines

The City of St. Catharines recognizes the significant rain storms and flooding between July 21 and August 2 has impacted thousands of residents in every part of the city and that the weeks following the storms have been difficult for many.

City, regional and provincial support programs are available for residents who were impacted by significant rain fall on July 21, July 27-28 and August 2.

Community Supports

The City of St. Catharines recognizes the significant impacts the recent extreme rainfalls has had on residents, families and businesses across our community. We are partnering with Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold to established a flood hotline to assist those requiring supports, such as food security, cleaning supplies and household items (while supplies last).

The flood hotline can be called at 905.984.8953.

As part of our efforts to adapt flood-recovery supports, the temporary Vulnerable Assistance Registry (VAR) is transitioning to the Community Care flood hotline, allowing for a more targeted approach to connecting residents with the resources that fit their individual needs.

We continue to work with a number of organizations to support residents in need, including Ontario Corps partner Team Rubicon Canada and Samaritan’s Purse who continue helping property owners with remediation and removal of debris from homes across the St. Catharines.

If you need help connecting with the right community resources call Citizens First at 905.688.5600.

Volunteer Opportunities

Team Rubicon Canada

Ontario Corps partner Team Rubicon Canada is an international non-profit disaster response organization that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy volunteers, at no cost, to communities affected by disasters.

Learn more and volunteer with Team Rubicon Canada.

Samaritans Purse

Samaritans Purse is establishing similar disaster relief operations in the Town of Lincoln and is including St. Catharines in its support response.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Samaritan’s Purse Canada is deploying a Disaster Relief Unit, a tractor-trailer filled with relief equipment, to help families after massive floods across Ontario’s Niagara region.

Learn more and volunteer with Samariatan's Purse Canada.

Both volunteer organizations will prearrange appointments with residents for site visits and to complete work, will not show up unannounced and will never ask for money or donations.

Emergency assistance

If you are experiencing financial hardship and need support with basic needs such as food or housing, you may be eligible for Ontario Works or Emergency Assistance through the provincial Ontario Works program.

Emergency Assistance is a Provincial program that provides short-term financial assistance to individuals or families experiencing an emergency who are not currently receiving Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) financial assistance.

The provincial Emergency Assistance benefit may be considered where the situation has resulted in an immediate financial crisis and the individual or family does not have sufficient resources to meet essential basic or shelter needs.

Emergency Assistance is not a universal benefit available to everyone affected by flooding or other disasters. Applicants must meet financial eligibility requirements.

Learn more an apply

Flood-related waste collection and disposal

Flood-related waste removal supports remain available for St. Catharines residents disposing of flood cleanup waste material resulting from the recent flooding.

These services are for flood-affected residential properties only. They are not for general household cleanouts, business, commercial, industrial or institutional properties, or waste generated by contractors.

Enhanced curbside waste collection ends as of Aug. 22, and will be replaced by targeted collection. Residents can register to receive collection on Aug. 24 and 31.

Targeted curbside collection

Residents still working through cleanup, insurance claims or removal of flood-damaged items can register for targeted collection:

Aug. 24 collection: Register by Friday, Aug. 21 at noon.
Aug. 31 collection: Register from Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. to Friday, Aug. 28 at noon.

Targeted flood waste collection service applications are pending approval after registration. To be eligible for this service, residents must confirm:

They are an owner or tenant of a flood-affected residential property.
Their property was affected by the recent flooding.
All material being set out through this service is flood-related waste.
They will provide supporting documentation, if requested, to verify eligibility.

Flood waste collection for approved registered properties will take place on either August 24 or August 31, 2026, depending on your registration date. Approved properties will receive flood waste collection on these dates, regardless of your regular waste collection day. Registered residents must have flood waste at the curb by 7 a.m.

Already have eligible flood waste at the curb? You do not need to register. Crews continue to complete enhanced flood-related waste collection routes scheduled for August 17 to 21. We appreciate your patience as we work to complete this collection.

Need help registering? Call Citizens First at 905.688.5600.

Register for Aug. 24 targeted curbside collection

Preparing waste for collection

Keep flood-related waste separate from regular household garbage.
Place materials within four feet of the curb or roadway.
Do not cover waste with a tarp or plastic sheeting. Garbage bags are acceptable.
Do not leave sharp items, such as nails or glass, exposed.
Bags and cans must weigh no more than 22.7 kg (50 lbs.) each.
If a ditch, culvert or other obstruction prevents you from placing waste within four feet of the curb, contact Niagara Region’s Waste Info Line.

Please visit Niagara Region's website for a list of flood-related materials accepted curbside through this service.

Use Niagara Region's waste search tool or download their Waste App to learn how to dispose of items not collected curbside.

Other flood waste disposal options

Bill Burgoyne Arena: Large bins for residential flood-related waste are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 22 and again Aug. 24 to 29. Proof of St. Catharines residency is required.

Niagara Region drop-off locations: Tipping fees for residential flood-related waste are waived through Aug. 29 at Humberstone Landfill and Bridge Street Waste and Recycling Drop-off Depot. Maximum one pickup truck or trailer load.

Emergency Flood Alleviation Program

Pending a confirmed funding source, the City of St. Catharines is developing an Emergency Flood Alleviation Program (Emergency FLAP) to help residents impacted by the significant rainstorms and flooding that happened in July and August 2026, protect their properties against future events.

Important: Funding availability pending

The Emergency FLAP is still under development and requires a funding source. We continue to hold collaborative discussions with upper levels of government regarding potential financial aid and relief to support this program.

At this time the Emergency FLAP rebate cannot be guaranteed for all applicants. The City expects to have more clarity around funding in the next few weeks.

What the program offers

The program intends to reimburse eligible homeowners for 90 per cent of the cost (up to a maximum of $5,000) of eligible flood protection devices and associated installation work.

Learn More

Resources

ATTCH Niagara

Offers flood-specific trauma and stabilization supports, including 1 to 2 complimentary stabilization sessions for those in acute need, along with free online trauma resources.

Learn more about ATTCH Niagara

Pathstone Mental Health

Offers child, youth and family mental health supports, including no-cost walk-in counselling and direct intake options.

Link to services:

Learn more about Pathstone Mental Health