Minnesota Disaster Aid Passes $3 Million 

Release Date: August 4, 2000
Release Number: 1333-12

» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes

Minneapolis, MN -- More than $3 million in federal and state disaster aid grants have been approved for victims of the severe storms, flooding and the July 25th tornado since Minnesota was declared a major disaster area on June 27. So far, of the 3,542 who registered for disaster assistance, 2,226 grants have been issued, totaling $3,307,744, according to federal and state disaster recovery officials. This aid is in the form of disaster housing assistance and Individual and Family Grants to cover serious disaster-related needs.

In addition, 233 disaster loans have been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for individuals and businesses, totaling $4,337,500. (Please note county breakdown below.)

The breakdown of assistance funding by county and type of assistance is as follows:

County Registrations Received Disaster Housing Program Individual & Family Grant Program
Grants Issued Amount Approved Grants Issued Amount Approved
Becker 120 75 80,938 22 23,545
Clay 1,592 909 1,088,561 151 216,275
Mahnomen 61 41 47,633 7 10,160
Norman 82 52 71,284 2 2,144
Total NW 1,855 1,077 1,288,416 4 252,124
Fillmore 154 87 144,567 9 15,799
Houston 30 11 34,591 1 1,458
Mower 312 191 302,201 32 62,544
Total SE 496 289 481,359 42 79,801
Dakota 949 595 1,112,314 32 81,663
Yellow Medicine 195 7 12,067    
MN Total 3,495 1968 2,894,156 258 413,588

  U.S. Small Business Administration Loans Approved (8/3/00)
County # of Home/Personal Property Loans Amount in $$$ # of Business Loans Amount in $$$ # of EIDL Loans Amount in $$$ Loan Amount Totals
Becker 2 18,000         18,000
Clay 119 1,607,600 2 32,900 3 17,500 1,658,000
Mahnomen 2 14,600         14,600
Norman 7 62,700         62,700
Total NW              
Fillmore              
Houston              
Mower 2 8,500         8,500
Total SE              
Dakota 88 2,083,800 1 18,000 1 1,500 2,103,300
Yellow Medicine 5 467,400         467,400
MN Total 225 4,262,500 3 50,900 4 19,000 4,332,500

First Checks Issued to Granite Falls Tornado Victims

In less than a week since Yellow Medicine County was added to the disaster declaration, the first checks from the Disaster Housing grant program and the SBA disaster loan program have been issued for victims of the tornado. On August 4, the SBA presented checks to five Granite Falls individuals who were approved for $467,400 in low-interest loans to repair damage to their homes and to replace personal property.

More than $12,000 has been approved for disaster housing grants.

Registration and Helpline Numbers Continue to Operate

Individuals and business owners who suffered damages in the counties declared for individual assistance (Becker, Clay, Dakota, Fillmore, Houston, Mahnomen, Mower, Norman, Yellow Medicine and the White Earth Reservation), and who have not yet applied, are encouraged to call toll-free 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800-462-7585). Those who have already applied and have questions can call 1-800-525-0321 (TTY 1-800-462-7585). Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Home owners, renters and business owners in the declared counties who have suffered losses from the tornado, severe storms and flooding do not need to be concerned that their applications for assistance will reduce the amounts available for their neighbors.

"Don't hesitate to apply for the assistance you may need," Kevin Leuer, director of the Minnesota Department of Emergency Management, said. "There is enough financial assistance allocated to help all who are eligible. The amounts distributed to one individual will in no way affect what is available to your neighbor or other citizens of Minnesota."

Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Nov-2003 13:00:57