Minn. Flood Disaster Assistance Tops $3 Billion

In the weeks since the disaster declaration of Oct. 7, a total of $3,060,323 in grants has been approved to assist those who suffered flood damage in southeastern Minnesota, according to figures released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM).

Both Freeborn ($1,023,648) and Mower ($1,061,708) counties have surpassed the $1 million dollar mark in FEMA grants and assistance. Faribault, Steele and Dodge county applicants have received $523,346, $372,967, and $78,655 respectively.

Local, state and federal recovery officials and voluntary organizations have combined efforts to assist victims of the severe storms and flooding in putting their lives back together. This is a summary of recovery activities as of close of business Oct. 31:

* 1,360 individuals from the five designated counties of Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower and Steele have called to apply for assistance
* 884 applications have been approved for Disaster Housing Assistance grants, totaling $2,335,110 – for repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and for temporary disaster rental assistance (see county-by-county breakdown attached)
* 412 applications have been approved for Other Needs Assistance grants, totaling $725,213 – for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses
* 1,245 applications for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans have been issued – for homeowners, renters and businesses of any size
* 623 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers.