Rybak in Washington, seeking more tornado aid

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is in Washington, DC today, meeting with federal officials to see if he could get more federal disaster aid to help recovery efforts from last month's tornado in north Minneapolis.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency had turned down a request to provide relief to individual homeowners whose property has been damaged or destroyed. But after Monday's meeting, Rybak said they suggested that Minneapolis re-apply for the aid.

"We can't be certain how successful we'll be in getting that aid," said Rybak. "But we believe after our meeting that we have a stronger case to get individual assistance, and we'll be working hard on it."

Later Monday, Rybak was scheduled to meet with President Obama and a bipartisan group of mayors to discuss the economy and job creation.

The tornado seriously damaged an estimated 274 homes and businesses in Minneapolis. President Obama declared a disaster in Hennepin and Anoka counties where the tornado hit, but federal funding will cover only damage to public property, not private property.