Minnesota Disaster Recovery Update
Release Date: August 9, 1999
Release Number: 1283-05
» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms, Winds and Flooding
DULUTH, Minn. -- Federal, state, local and voluntary agencies are working in partnership to help Minnesota residents following the severe storms that hit between July 4 and August 2. The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts.
- Almost $600,000 in grants and low-interest loans have been approved less than two weeks after President Clinton's disaster declaration, and 645 Minnesota residents affected by the severe storms, winds and flooding that occurred between July 4 and August 2 have applied for assistance.
- To date, FEMA has approved a total of $321,469 in grants to victims of the storms through its Disaster Housing Program. This program includes assistance to eligible owners or renters whose homes were destroyed or substantially damaged so they can have a place to live while repairs are being made. It also provides grants for limited essential home repairs to make a residence habitable until more extensive repair or reconstruction can be completed.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $256,300 in low-interest disaster loans. The SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term disaster recovery for owners of private property, including homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These low-interest loans cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not fully covered by insurance or other aid.
- A total of 85 requests for Public Assistance has been submitted by local governments and private non-profit organizations. Initial damage assessments have been estimated at more than $14 million to public and non-profit organizations. The Public Assistance program is designed for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities such as roads, bridges, utilities, and schools. These funds may also be used to defray costs of removing debris from public areas and for emergency services to protect property and public health.
- State and Federal disaster recovery officials are advising Minnesota residents who have disaster-related damage to be extremely careful when hiring contractors to clean up and repair their homes and businesses. Consumers who have problems with a contractor or have been victims of fraud are urged to contact the Minnesota Attorney General's office at 800-657-3787. Disaster assistance inspectors carry identification that applicants can request to see, and there is no charge for their service.
- State and FEMA disaster specialists and Small Business Administration (SBA) officials will be available to assist applicants at a temporary Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Hibbing at the Hibbing Memorial Building, 400 East 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- An SBA Disaster Loan Assistance office will open today, August 9, 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in Grand Marais at the Cook County Courthouse, 411 West 2nd Street. Starting tomorrow the office will be open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. If you have received an application for a low-interest SBA loan, it must be completed and returned or other forms of disaster assistance may be delayed.
- Residents and business owners in Itasca, St. Louis, Cook or Lake counties who sustained damage or loss between July 4 and August 2 can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-462-9029 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. Phone lines will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until further notice.
Last Modified: Friday, 12-Dec-2003 13:41:39