Responding to Canadian Floods
2026 Canadian Flood Responses
Responding to Ottawa Floods
Serving Ottawa residents Devastated by Floods
Volunteer in Ottawa- Samaritan’s Purse Canada is supporting Ottawa residents affected by devastating floods that damaged over 6,000 homes.
- The city of Ottawa has identified approximately 200 highly vulnerable households—primarily seniors, people with mobility challenges, and families who lack the physical or financial means to clean up and muck out their homes on their own.
- Samaritan’s Purse has deployed staff and equipment to the region, including our specially equipped Disaster Relief Unit.
- As work orders are confirmed, our trained staff and volunteers will provide free mud-out, debris removal, and sanitization for these households as we serve in Jesus’ Name.
On July 1, Ottawa set a new rainfall record, prompting road closures and canceling Canada Day celebrations. In the span of a few hours, over 100 millimeters of rain fell, flooding over 6,000 basements.
We praise God that no lives were lost, but homeowners are still dealing with losses and damaged homes.
At the invitation of the City of Ottawa, Samaritan’s Purse Canada has deployed our Disaster Relief Unit and specialized recovery personnel to help these hurting residents.
In the weeks that followed, city staff identified an initial list of approximately 200 highly vulnerable households—primarily seniors, people with mobility challenges, and families who lack the physical or financial means to clean up and muck out their homes on their own.
In response, our Canadian Disaster Relief is coordinating with municipal officials and local church partners to provide help to these homeowners. In the coming days, our trained staff and volunteers will provide free mud-out, debris removal, and sanitization for these households.
“For many families, the floodwaters may have receded, but the difficult work of recovery is only beginning,” said Tammy Suitor, manager of Canadian Disaster Relief. “Our teams have deployed to the Ottawa area to help homeowners tackle the overwhelming cleanup and begin rebuilding their lives. Through the compassion of our volunteers and supporters, we have the opportunity to serve people in practical ways while sharing the hope found in Jesus Christ.”
Thank you for standing together in this important work. Please join us in praying for the residents who are still overwhelmed by the impacts of this flood.
Serving Manitoba Residents Devastated by Floods
Volunteer in Manitoba- Samaritan’s Purse Canada is supporting the municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman and the town of Swan River, in western Manitoba, where devastating floods have damaged approximately 180 homes in Minitonas-Bowsman and 200 in Swan River. The severe floods have also washed away roads and damaged critical infrastructure.
- Samaritan’s Purse has been on the ground since early June, and it will be at least a month until the last job is finished, given the scale of the destruction.
- Many flooded houses had full basements and water up to the main level.
- Samaritan’s Purse Canada has deployed staff, volunteers, and equipment, including two of our specially equipped Disaster Relief Units (DRU), to the region.
- We have received 261 work orders to date, with numbers expected to rise, to support homeowners with mudding out flooded basements and spraying to prevent mold. To date, our teams have completed 112 work orders. If you are in Minitonas-Bowsman or Swan Lake, call our team at 1-833-738-7743.
- Join us as we share the love of Jesus by offering tangible help to residents. Volunteers will assist with tasks such as debris removal, mudding out basements, tearing out drywall, and sanitization. Learn more.
On June 7, the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman in western Manitoba was hit by heavy rainfall that dropped approximately 150 millimeters in just a few hours. The rain overwhelmed drainage systems, flooded homes, and led to a state of local emergency. Roads have been washed out, critical infrastructure has been damaged, and approximately 180 homes have experienced flooding.
Then, between June 28 and July 1, another intense round of heavy rain dropped up to 200 mm on the already saturated region, including the town of Swan River. This second wave caused historic flooding, forcing many households to evacuate.
We praise God that no lives were lost during the flooding. Still, an emotional toll has followed, as homeowners return to damaged homes and begin to process their losses.
At the invitation of the municipal government and a local church partner, Samaritan’s Purse Canada has deployed our Disaster Relief Units and specialized recovery personnel to help these hurting residents.
Our teams are equipping and leading volunteers from across Canada to assist homeowners.
“Many families are facing the impossible task of removing mud and debris, stripping out saturated drywall and insulation, and dealing with ruined furniture and appliances,” said Keith Waara, director of Canadian Disaster Relief. “This is precisely the kind of moment where Samaritan’s Purse Canada, supported by our volunteers and donors, can come alongside people with practical help and the hope of the Gospel.”
Thank you for standing together in this important work. Please join us in praying.
- Please pray for our team on the ground as we complete the last 24 work orders of 136 work orders in the municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman. Please also pray for the team as they work on the 87 new work orders in Swan River, with many more expected to come in. Our team needs supernatural strength.
- Pray for the residents throughout the area who continue to be overwhelmed by the ongoing flooding and its impacts.
- Pray for additional volunteers. We urgently need more people to join the effort and help support affected communities.
‘It Was Just Devastation’
Three feet of water filled Sheila’s Minitonas home in the middle of the night, with more rushing in. “It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. It was just devastation,” she said with tears.
The local school educational assistant has lived in Minitonas for 51 years. “It’s very quiet. It’s very friendly … a wonderful place to be,” she told us. She was heartbroken to see the damage the flood did to her community. When firefighters arrived to help Sheila escape, “I realized how bad it was.”
Returning home to the destruction was even harder. “I felt crushed,” she told us. “But then I also know what it’s like to have all these wonderful volunteers come in and help.”
‘We Are One of Those Emergencies’
Just down the street, a fleet of Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief vehicles pulled into Minitonas. “It brought tears to my eyes,” she said. “It was just beyond belief, because I thought, we are one of those emergencies that they would come and help our little town. Somebody sent something to help.”
A team of hard-working Samaritan’s Purse volunteers arrived to help in Jesus’ Name. They brought all the equipment needed to clean Sheila’s home and make it safe. They removed flood debris, washed muddy floors and walls, and sprayed to prevent mold at no cost to her. “I have asthma, so that’s going to help greatly,” she said.
‘I Just Knew That Hope Was There’
When the team finished, they presented Sheila with a Bible signed by each volunteer. They also prayed with her. About a year ago, Sheila’s husband passed away suddenly, and she has had to face this crisis on her own.
But the love of her community and the help from Samaritan’s Purse volunteers have given her strength. “I just knew that hope was there,” Sheila told us. “Thank you for coming here to help.”
Sharing God’s Help Amid Manitoba Floods
The floodwater that poured into Steve’s home was overwhelming. In mid-June, nearly 150 millimeters of rain fell in just a few hours on the western Manitoba village of Minitonas-Bowsman, about five hours northwest of Winnipeg.
Steve’s house was among approximately 180 that were swamped with as much as six feet of water. The flood affected 99 percent of this hard-working, rural community.
Witness to Destruction
“I had a good cry, like everyone else in the family,” Steve said about witnessing the devastation of his home for the first time alongside his wife and three children. Walls were ruined, furniture soaked, and family possessions destroyed. Steve was in the process of selling his home. Now, he despaired about what to do.
A convoy of Samaritan’s Purse vehicles and Canadian Disaster Relief volunteers arrived in the community shortly after the flood to help in Jesus’ Name. They brought hope for Steve and his family. Our team quickly set up a base at the invitation of the municipality and got to work.
Wading through the mucky aftermath of the floodwater, dedicated volunteers from across Canada—including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick—cleared waterlogged debris from basements. They washed floors and walls and sprayed a mold-fighting solution to make Steve’s and dozens of other homes ready for repair.
‘No Words Can Explain Your Kindness’
“I’m very appreciative, because otherwise, we’d have to do it ourselves or hire someone, and who knows when that could happen,” said Steve, who was wrestling with a medical condition that prevented him from lifting anything heavy. “Even just walking around is hard,” he shared. “Thank you to all the people who came to help.”
As the volunteers worked, they shared the love of Christ and the Good News of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. After work is complete at each house, the volunteers offer to pray with each homeowner and often have an opportunity to present a Bible signed by each team member.
One homeowner wrote in response: “We want to thank you again for your love of reaching out to our community. No words can explain your kindness and love you have shown. Best is that you are doing it to spread the Gospel of hope, which is Jesus, the crucifixion, and His love.”
The Need Is Greater Than Ever Before
The need for volunteers is higher than ever before. If you or your church or group can help, please visit our volunteer page to learn more. “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14).
