After Push From Klobuchar, Franken, McCollum, Ellison and Paulsen, Administration Issues Disaster Declaration for Hennepin and Ramsey Counties

Press Release

In a letter last week, the lawmakers urged the President to expand the declaration to these counties, which sustained significant flood damage this summer

U.S Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Representatives, Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison, and Erik Paulsen announced that the Administration has extended its Major Disaster Declaration to include Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. In a letter last week, the lawmakers urged the President to expand the declaration to those counties, which sustained significant flood damage this summer. The letter followed Governor Mark Dayton's formal request for federal assistance to help these communities rebuild and recover. The announcement brings the total number of Minnesota communities that will receive federal assistance up to 40.

"The damage in these counties is significant and warrants a Major Disaster Declaration," the lawmakers wrote. "After disaster strikes Minnesota, we hit the ground running and do not stop until we have the resources in place to ensure that communities can recover. We will continue to push for all available assistance at the federal level until the recovery is complete."

The initial disaster designation issued in July declared a major disaster for Chippewa, Freeborn, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Renville, and Rock Counties, paving the way for federal assistance of 75 percent of the cost of emergency work and the repair or replacement of infrastructure. On July 31st, the Administration then extended the declaration to cover an additional 26 communities. Last week, the Administration extended the declaration to cover Lyon, Watonwan, and Wright counties, as well as the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. The declaration also made all counties in Minnesota eligible for hazard mitigation funding on a cost-sharing basis to prevent future damage from natural hazards, and ensured that disaster designations for additional counties could be granted after additional damage assessments are completed.