Community Relations Teams Visiting Flood Damaged Areas: Field Officers Looking At Unmet Needs 

Release Date: June 25, 2002
Release Number: 1419-08

» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes

Moorhead, MN -- Community Relations field officers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working with the Minnesota State Department of Public Safety and local community leaders to reach out to residents and businesses affected by the floods that began June 9.

Teams are canvassing communities in Roseau, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman and Red Lake counties. Individual disaster assistance for homeowners, renters and business owners is currently available in those counties. These Community Relations teams are offering individuals and business owners information about available disaster assistance programs, including grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses.

"We rely on our Community Relations staff not only to get the word out but also to find out first hand the problems individuals in those communities are facing," said FEMA's Chief of Staff, Joan Rave.

Team members are meeting with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials. When field staff identify unmet needs, information will be communicated to the state or federal staff best able to respond.

According to Jerry Rosendahl, State Coordinating Officer for Minnesota, "We are making every attempt to inform disaster victims about the benefits available through a disaster declaration. That may require special types of assistance, which Community Relations teams will help to ensure."

Team members will be reminding people that the only way to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is to call the toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For people who are speech or hearing impaired, the TTY number is 1-800-462-7585. Both phone lines are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-Aug-2003 14:46:20