FEMA starts verifying Minnesota flood damage

As Federal Emergency Management Agency officials visit Minnesota this week to verify flood damage estimates, the state's homeland security and emergency management director says that, so far, more than $14 million in damages have been reported.

• Previously: Floods carry pollution into Minnesota's rivers

Kris Eide said she expects the state to easily qualify for federal aid, for which the state needs a documented $7.3 million in damages.

Some areas have been hit very hard, she said on Sunday while visiting Norwood Young America Eide with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.

"We have communities that have been cut off from their emergency services. We have communities that have to do a 25 mile detour even to get home. So that impacts on businesses. We have loss of businesses on main streets across this whole state," Eide said.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is encouraging individuals and business to report damages to their county emergency management directors.

In some cases, funding can be made for businesses to qualify for low interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Individuals may be eligible for grants to repair damages to their homes.