Minnesota Disaster Assistance Tops $2.6 Million
Debris Removal Assistance Available
Release Date: September 9, 1999
Release Number: 1283-12
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DULUTH, Minn. -- Disaster assistance totals continue to grow as federal and state officials announced today that more than $2.6 million in grants and low-interest loans have been approved for some of the 1264 central and northeastern Minnesota residents who have applied for disaster assistance.
Since President Clinton's declaration July 28, federal and state officials have approved $870,528 in grants and $1,795,600 in low-interest loans. Disaster officials are also working with 138 communities and county departments eligible for public assistance for infrastructure losses. The program is designed to help cover damage costs for debris removal, emergency services, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, and schools.
More than 1260 Minnesota residents have already called to apply for assistance. St. Louis County has the largest number of individual applicants with 769, followed by Beltrami (159), Itasca (148), Cook (108), Cass (45), and Lake (35). The deadline to call to apply for disaster assistance is September 25.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved over $741,238 in grants through its Disaster Housing Program for 564 applicants. This initial assistance program covers temporary rental assistance or essential home repairs to make a residence livable until more extensive repair or reconstruction can be completed.
More than $129,290 in grants has also been approved for 72 applicants through the Individual and Family Grant (IFG) Program. Administered by the Minnesota Division of Emergency Management (DEM), the IFG program is designed to meet serious disaster-related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other disaster assistance programs. FEMA provides 75 percent of the funding and the State covers the remaining 25 percent.
Eighty homeowners and 17 business owners have been approved for SBA low-interest loans totaling $1,795,600. More than 900 loan application have been issued, but the SBA has only received 165. If you were issued a loan application, it must be completed and returned, or other forms of disaster assistance may be delayed.
Beltrami County was added to the disaster declaration September 2, and became the ninth county in central and northeast Minnesota to be eligible for federal assistance following the July 4th severe storms, wind, and flooding. The county is eligible for both individual assistance and public assistance for community infrastructure damages.
State and federal disaster officials urged renters, homeowners or business owners who suffered damages during the period of July 4 to August 2 to call to apply for disaster assistance. The number is 1-800-462-9029, or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired. The phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A temporary disaster loan assistance office opened in Bemidji yesterday at the city's Fire Department at the corner of 5th Street and America Avenue. Staffed by U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan officers, the temporary office will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except on Saturday and Sunday, until Thursday, September 16th. Disaster assistance information handouts will also be available at the office.
SBA low-interest disaster loans are available to eligible renters and homeowners, as well as business owners. They are the major financial source of disaster assistance. The deadline to call to apply for disaster assistance is September 25.
Debris Removal Assistance Available"We realize the damaged trees and debris pose a serious fire hazard, which no one in the affected area should ignore," Bill Powers, Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer said. "There are several disaster assistance programs that will provide debris removal funds for eligible permanent residents, business owners, communities, and county and state agencies."
Under the presidential disaster declaration, FEMA and DEM are working in partnership with a wide variety of agencies, including the SBA, U. S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Minnesota Recovers Task Force, Minnesota Incident Fire Center, Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, Minnesota Department of Economic Security, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
While it is impossible to ensure the removal of every downed tree or all storm debris, state and federal disaster officials believe the financial assistance will help individuals and communities begin the recovery process and reduce future damage losses.
Permanent residents may be eligible for disaster housing grants if downed trees and debris fell on or very near their homes or if debris blocked their immediate entrances or exits. Homeowners and business insurance may also cover debris removal. Individuals should check with their insurance agent to determine if their policy provides this type of coverage.
Homeowners and business owners may also be eligible for funds to cover additional debris removal through the SBA's low-interest disaster loan program. Typically, the SBA will consider debris removal within a one-acre area around the structure. Physical damage to the home or business is not required to be eligible for these loans. Disaster loans for this specific purpose are limited to $200,000 for a homeowner and $1.5 million for a business owner. Seasonal or second homes are not eligible.
If you have questions about debris removal assistance, please call the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 1-800-525-0321 or the SBA Helpline at 1-800-359-2227.
"We are also working with more than 138 community and county representatives throughout the declared area to ensure that all the eligible debris removal costs are considered," Kevin Leuer, the Director of DEM and State Coordinating Officer, said. "Debris removal costs were approximately a third of the estimated $14 million in public damage that was originally reported. We realize that amount may climb even higher."
Federal assistance is also available to the state and local communities for clearing emergency access routes and clearing debris on trails in public and state areas. FEMA provides 75 percent of these funds, the state covers 15 percent, and the community will be responsible for the remaining 10 percent.
A number of state and federal agencies, led by the Minnesota Recovers Task Force and the USFS, will continue to work on the difficult issues of fire fighting efforts and reducing the number of downed trees, which provide fuel for wildfires. Federal and state funds to reduce future disaster damages may also be available to meet some of these long-range mitigation needs.
Last Modified: Friday, 12-Dec-2003 13:36:58