Dayton asks Obama to speed up help for flood-damaged counties

Gov. Mark Dayton urged President Obama Friday to speed up federal disaster assistance for six Minnesota counties.

Obama has already issued disaster declarations for 32 Minnesota counties that were hit hard by flooding in June. More counties were expected to be added to the list after damage assessments were completed and submitted.

But in a letter to the president, Dayton said FEMA officials have not yet finalized the assessments for Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties and are disputing some of the identified damage. Dayton asked Obama to direct FEMA to recognize and finalize those assessments.

The state is also waiting for a disaster declaration for Lyon, Watonwan, and Wright Counties. Once a declaration is issued, federal officials will cover 75 percent of the recovery costs in affected counties.

Earlier: Obama declares emergency in 8 counties

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