Nearly $57 Million Available For Minnesota Recovery 

Release Date: November 15, 2007
Release Number: 1717-071

» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Twelve weeks after a presidential disaster declaration was issued for southeastern Minnesota, $56,838,469 in federal recovery funds has been made available to individuals in the seven designated counties, according to officials from Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the U.S Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Recovery officials continue to deliver aid to eligible residents and business owners in areas affected by the severe storms and flooding that swept through the area in August. The registration deadline was Nov. 14, however help remains only a phone call away for those who have registered at l-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech-or hearing-impaired.  The toll-free numbers operate Monday -Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time).

"With the period to register for assistance now closed, FEMA is pleased with the aid we and the state of Minnesota have delivered to affected residents," said Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell. "It has been an honor to work with and help the people in the flood and storm-ravaged areas of Minnesota. We share their anguish and sorrow and we and our partners will continue to support the recovery effort in any way we can, as long as we can."

The presidential disaster declaration was issued Aug. 23. Residents in seven counties - Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha and Winona - were eligible to receive FEMA Individual Assistance funds. By the close of business on Wednesday, Nov. 14, a total of 5,276 people in the designated counties had registered for Individual Assistance, and $17,328,046 in Housing Assistance and $1,487,823 in Other Needs Assistance had already been approved.

Individual Assistance is for homeowners and renters to help replace losses not fully covered by insurance. It can include rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable; grants to repair homes and replace essential household items to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional; and grants to meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by other programs.

Homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations have also been eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help them recover from the disaster, including loans to recover property losses not compensated by insurance or grants.  In addition, small businesses received loans to help provide working capital to recover from the disaster's economic impact.  By the close of business on Wednesday, Nov. 14, a total of 3,971 applications for home loans and 870 applications for business and economic injury disaster loans had been issued; $38,022,600 in loans had been approved. The SBA help number for those already registered is 1-800-659-2955.

Federal Disaster Assistance by County

The following table shows how many applications for FEMA assistance have been received and how much Housing Assistance, Other Needs Assistance and cumulative assistance has been awarded to individuals and households in each county. All figures are current as of the close of business on Wednesday, Nov. 14. (Figures are rounded to the nearest dollar.)

County Applications Housing Assistance Other Needs Assistance Cumulative Assistance

Dodge

223

$427,987

$24,576

$452,563

Fillmore

730

$5,842,716

$617,721

$6,460,437

Houston

895

$1,978,861

$74,339

$2,053,200

Olmsted

1,543

$1,998,609

$120,031

$2,118,639

Steele

174

$323,924

$15,274

$339,198

Wabasha

132

$237,062

$8,000

$245,063

Winona

1,579

$6,518,887

$627,882

$7,146,769

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 15-Nov-2007 15:43:44