The President’s declaration will deliver federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in Blue Earth, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, and Waseca Counties. The counties suffered significant damage as a result of heavy rainstorms and flooding on September 21 and 22, 2016.

 

In his letter to President Obama, Governor Dayton wrote, “Disaster assistance … is clearly warranted. Without it, and given the already heavy burden of previous state and federal disasters, Minnesotans will struggle to return their communities to normalcy.”

 

Federal, state, and local officials conducted preliminary damage assessments from October 11 to October 14, 2016, and found $8.3 million in eligible public infrastructure damage and $10.1 million in estimated individual and household needs. The President’s declaration includes financial assistance for eligible storm-related damage to public infrastructure in affected communities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will now fund 75 percent of approved costs. Under legislation signed by Governor Dayton in 2014, the State of Minnesota will pay the 25 percent non-federal share. 

 

Federal aid also may available for individuals and households seriously impacted by the flooding. The Governor’s request for individual assistance remains under review by FEMA. 

 

President Obama’s declaration will make federal assistance for public infrastructure and hazard mitigation available to affected communities. 

 

• Assistance for Public Infrastructure – the disaster declaration will provide assistance to public entities like townships, cities, counties, schools, and certain private not-for-profit organizations for uninsured and eligible storm-related damage to public infrastructure. Examples of eligible expenses include debris removal, emergency protective services, and the repair or replacement of storm-damaged public infrastructure. More information is available here.

• Hazard Mitigation Grants – the disaster declaration also will make affected Minnesota communities eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grants, which help defray the costs of making repairs necessary to reduce or eliminate long term risks to people and property from natural hazards. Mitigation is a critical tool for breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. More information is available here.

 

President Obama’s disaster declaration can be read here.