Declaration Request Includes Public Assistance for Hennepin and Anoka Counties, Individual Assistance for Minneapolis

ST. PAUL - Governor Mark Dayton today sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a major federal disaster declaration for Hennepin and Anoka Counties following the May 22 deadly tornado that struck the area.

In a May 27 letter to President Barack Obama, Governor Dayton requested Public Assistance for Hennepin and Anoka Counties after preliminary damage assessments revealed $16.33 million in costs and damages. Governor Dayton also requested Individual Assistance for Hennepin County after preliminary damage assessments showed 25 homes destroyed, 92 with major damage and 328 with minor damage.

Governor Dayton requested a major disaster declaration including three categories of aid:

* Public Assistance (Hennepin and Anoka Counties): Assistance to state and local government and certain private non-profit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. This applies within the counties in the disaster area.
* Individual Assistance (Minneapolis): When disasters take place, the Individual and Households Program provides money and services to people in the disaster area when losses are not covered by insurance and property has been damaged or destroyed. This request includes programs available through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
* Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Assistance to state and local government and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards. All counties in the State of Minnesota are eligible to apply for assistance under this program.

If the President declares a major disaster and Public Assistance is approved, FEMA will fund 75 percent of approved costs. Eligible work might include debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repair or replacement of damaged public facilities such as roads, bridges, buildings, utilities and recreation areas.

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/governor/assets/05-27-2011-Obama-Declaration-Ltr.pdf_tcm1055-94790.pdfA copy of Governor Dayton's letter to President Obama is attached. The letter outlines impacts to communities and the state.