Obama Declares MN June Storms a Disaster

(Field Editor Caitlin Burgess wrote this article.)

While cleanup efforts continue following the severe June storms that struck parts of Minnesota including around Lake Minnetonka and Hennepin County, President Barack Obama is now making federal funding available to help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

On Thursday, Obama declared the storms that occurred between June 20 and June 26 a disaster, making the funds available for state and local recovery efforts, according to a FEMA press release.

“The President's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding in Benton, Big Stone, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Morrison, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Wilkin counties.

“Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.”

Cleanup costs could be more than $7.26 million, according toCity Pages. That price tag is above the threshold for when federal funding can be granted.

According to FEMA, the following aid programs are available:

• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

• Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

As far as applying for the funds, FEMA said:

“Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.”

Related at Lake Minnetonka Patch: