As Ottawa residents struggle to recover from devastating flash floods, Samaritan’s Purse has accepted a City of Ottawa invitation to offer physical and spiritual help wherever possible.

On Thursday, Aug. 10, as much as 100 mm of rain fell in just a few hours, closing roads, swamping vehicles, and damaging more than 150 homes through overland flooding or sewer back-ups.

In response, members of our Canadian Disaster Relief team are in Ottawa coordinating a response with officials and churches.

One of our Disaster Relief Units—a tractor-trailer equipped with flood recovery equipment, safety gear, and other tools—is also being sent to the city. After setting up Sunday at The Met Church, our team will clean up flooded basements and prepare homes for repair, all at no cost to homeowners.

"Our hearts go out to the Ottawa homeowners who were impacted by the floods and now face the monumental task of cleaning up,” said Brent Davis, Samaritan’s Purse’s director of Canadian ministry projects. “We are grateful to accept the city’s invitation to offer physical and spiritual help in any way we're able."

Residents needing help with their home or property can call 1-844-547-2663.

Samaritan’s Purse’Photo:Submitted by Samaritan’s Purse

This is the fifth time our relief teams have served in the Ottawa region. We assisted people impacted by tornadoes in 2018, helped clean up homes after extensive flooding in 2017 and 2019, and removed hundreds of downed trees after a violent 2020 windstorm.

Our sister organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, often works alongside by providing crisis-trained volunteer chaplains to comfort and pray with volunteers, first responders, and people impacted by disaster. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are accompanying Samaritan’s Purse staff in Ottawa.

Donations Needed To support Samaritan’s Purse’s disaster relief efforts, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca (click on “Donate”) or call 1-800-663-6500