State presses feds to widen disaster declaration from spring storms
State officials are asking FEMA to add 30 counties and two tribal governments to the federal disaster declaration declared after storms and flooding hit the state in mid-June.
Eight Minnesota counties were already included in a disaster declaration issued on July 21.
Joe Kelly, deputy director of the state's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said officials have been going through the numbers to ensure the counties meet FEMA's requirements to receive aid. He said it's possible, but not likely, that the state may ask to add other counties to the declaration too. Originally, Minnesota officials reported a total of 51 counties experienced damage.
"This is completing the initial phase of this disaster recovery, which is to submit a complete damage assessment to FEMA," Kelly said.
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Severe storms and flooding occurred across the state starting on June 11 and damaged roads and other public infrastructure.
Counties included in the disaster declaration are eligible for assistance with debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repair or replacement of public infrastructure like roads, buildings, bridges and utilities.
If the counties are added to the declaration, FEMA will pay 75 percent of approved costs while the state fronts the rest. Kelly said FEMA will likely decide on inclusion of the counties within the week.
State officials will meet with local officials in counties added to the declaration to explain how to apply for the aid.
Here are the eight counties that were included in a federal disaster declaration issued on July 21: Chippewa, Freeborn, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Renville and Rock Counties.
Here are the 30 counties and two tribal governments that the state is asking to include in the declaration: Beltrami, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Hennepin, Koochiching, Lac Qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Nicollet, Ramsey, Redwood, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Todd, Wadena, Waseca, Watonwan, Wright and Yellow Medicine counties and the tribal governments of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa and Prairie Island Indian Community.