It makes sense for the state to appeal the federal denial of individual assistance for flooding that occurred in northeastern Minnesota.
Gov. Mark Dayton Thursday directed Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Kris Eide to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denial for individual assistance for recent floods in northeast Minnesota.
Dayton secured a major federal disaster declaration for thirteen Minnesota counties and three tribal nations provided assistance to state and local government and certain private non-profit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities following severe storms and flooding that struck areas of the state in June.
The preliminary damage assessments revealed more than $108 million in costs and damages to public infrastructure in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Lake, Meeker, Pine, Rice, Sibley and St. Louis counties as well as the Fond du Lac Tribal Nation, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the Grand Portage Tribal Nation.
We’re glad the federal government will provide assistance to get roads and other infrastructure needs fixed, but the denial to cover individual assistance to places that don’t ordinarily have flooding concerns doesn’t makes sense.
FEMA denied the state’s request for individual assistance, saying the damage was “not of such severity and magnitude” to qualify.
Many of the residents hit hardest by the flood are low-income and have no means to rebuild. Assistance from FEMA could come in the form of low-interest loans or grants. Dayton is expected to call a special legislative session in late August to consider state aid for flood recovery.
We urge FEMA to listen closely during the appeal and make the right decision to help Minnesota homeowners and business repair their properties.
