Governor Dayton seeks federal assistance for public entities and individuals impacted by heavy rains and flooding on September 21 and 22, 2016
ST. PAUL, MN –
Governor Mark Dayton has requested that President Barack Obama declare a major disaster in Minnesota as a result of heavy rainstorms and flooding on September 21 and 22, 2016. In a letter to President Obama, Governor Dayton described widespread damage in southern Minnesota. The Governor also highlighted that the State of Minnesota already is providing more than $10 million in state-funded disaster relief to county, city, township, and tribal governments in response to nine major storms this summer.
If granted by the President, the disaster declaration would 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. The state also may be eligible for federal aid available to individuals and households seriously impacted by the flooding.
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 FEMA threshold for public infrastructure assistance is $7.5 million in statewide eligible damages. If the President declares a major disaster, FEMA would 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.
Disaster Declaration Process
When an event occurs that is beyond the response and recovery capabilities of local and state governments, the State of Minnesota initiates a process to seek assistance from the Federal Government.
- Local and State Officials Conduct an Initial Impact Assessment – This assessment occurs shortly after the storm when local officials inform Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) which facilities in their community are impacted or damaged, and the impacts to residents.
- HSEM Requests FEMA to Conduct a Preliminary Damage Assessment – Teams from the affected county, HSEM and FEMA conduct the assessment. They view the damage and collect the cost estimates from county officials. Each county must meet its individual threshold which is defined as population times $3.50. The state also must meet a threshold of $7.5 million statewide.
- HSEM Prepares the Governor’s Request for a Disaster Declaration – A letter details the event and cites National Weather Service data. It must document factors that determine severity, magnitude and impact. It also documents what local officials did to respond to the emergency. Local input regarding impact to the community is gathered and incorporated in the letter. This includes the amount and type of damage, impact on infrastructure, impact on essential services, concentration of damage, level of insurance coverage, assistance available from other sources, and if there is an imminent threat to public health and safety.
- Governor Submits the Letter to the President through FEMA – FEMA reviews and sends the letter, with its recommendation to the President. The President is the only one with authority to grant a Presidential Disaster Declaration. If assistance programs are approved, HSEM officials work in partnership with FEMA to assist disaster victims in their application for funds.
Governor Dayton’s letter to the President can be
read here.