President Announces Emergency Declaration For Minnesota
Release Date: March 26, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-033
» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Minnesota to supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 16, 2009, and continuing.
Acting FEMA Administrator Nancy Ward said federal funding is available to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Traverse, and Wilkin.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.
Michael H. Smith has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Friday, 27-Mar-2009 08:20:45