ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton announced today that a Major Disaster Declaration has been expanded to include emergency relief for Kanabec County, which sustained an estimated $800,000 in eligible damages during a severe weather incident in July 2018.
In August, Governor Dayton
sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting the declaration after communities around the state were impacted by severe storms and flooding between June 15 and July 12, 2018. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) originally granted a Major Disaster Declaration
for 27 other counties and 3 tribal governments, but denied disaster assistance for Kanabec County, stating that damages in the county came from a separate storm system.
The Governor appealed that decision. In the appeal, the Twin Cities National Weather Service provided a radar loop that proved the storm on July 11 was the same storm that hit Kanabec County in the early morning hours of July 12. As a result of Governor Dayton’s appeal, FEMA overturned its initial decision, and
amended its Major Disaster Declaration to include Kanabec County.
With the Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA has now authorized the use of federal public assistance funds to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by recent severe storms, including Kanabec County. Under legislation signed by Governor Dayton in 2014, the State of Minnesota will deliver aid for the 25 percent non-federal share.
Types of Aid Available for Storm-Affected Communities
The Major Disaster Declaration makes several types of federal aid available to Kanabec County for storm damage recovery, including:
Public Assistance Aid – Financial assistance to state and local governments for the immediate emergency work accomplished within the community, and repairs or replacements of disaster-damaged facilities.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – Assistance to state and local governments for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards. Kanabec County is eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
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