FEMA to assess Minn. thunderstorm damage

State and federal officials begin assessing damage today from the severe thunderstorms that hit Minnesota last month.

The storms knocked down trees and power lines, cutting power to more than 600,000 Xcel Energy customers, and caused flash flooding across a large section of the state.

Doug Neville at the Department of Public Safety said the assessment teams will travel the state and determine if there's enough damage to public infrastructure to qualify for federal aid. The state must have just over $7 million in damage to public property to qualify for federal relief.

Last week Governor Mark Dayton issued a disaster declaration for 26 counties. Most are in the southern half of Minnesota, but Aitkin County in the northeast is also included.