Klobuchar, Franken, Peterson, Bachmann, Ellison, Walz, Paulsen, Nolan Announce Disaster Declaration for 18 Minnesota Counties to Assist Storm Cleanup Efforts

Press Release

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Representatives Collin Peterson, Michele Bachmann, Keith Ellison, Tim Walz, Erik Paulsen, and Rick Nolan today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a disaster declaration for Minnesota counties to assist their storm cleanup and repair efforts. The announcement comes after the members sent a letter last week urging President Obama to issue a disaster declaration to help the counties that sustained substantial damage from June's flash floods and storms.

"The severe storms this June led to high winds and flash flooding in 18 counties in Minnesota, causing extensive damage to roads, culverts, and bridges," the members said. "Today's disaster declaration will help the communities impacted by these storms remove debris and repair critical infrastructure."

The declaration designates Benton, Big Stone, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Morrison, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Wilkin counties as public assistance counties, providing assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities. The declaration also provides funding and makes all counties in Minnesota eligible for hazard mitigation support to prevent future damage from natural hazards.

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