Seven Minnesota Counties Eligible for Federal Public Assistance
Release Date: August 29, 2007
Release Number: 1717-003
» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- An additional Minnesota county was made eligible Aug. 28 for federal Public Assistance funds, federal and state officials announced. This raises to seven the total number of counties that qualify for the full array of Public Assistance recovery funds in the aftermath of severe storms and flooding that began on Aug. 18, 2007, according to officials from Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the U.S Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Dodge County is the most recent addition to the list of counties eligible for the assistance, which helps to repair damaged infrastructure and reimburse for emergency measures taken in the wake of the disaster. The other counties eligible for Public Assistance funds are Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha and Winona; on Aug. 28, they became eligible for the full range of Public Assistance, whereas before they had been approved only for emergency protective measures.
Public Assistance is the backbone of disaster recovery efforts, said Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell. These funds help to restore vital services and infrastructure that affect the quality of life. Public Assistance is about restoring communities to pre-disaster conditions.
Eligible applicants for Public Assistance include state, county and local governments and some private non-profits such as educational and medical institutions. Public assistance is provided on a cost-sharing basis, with FEMA providing 75 percent of the eligible expenses and state and local governments funding the rest.
Public Assistance is available for debris removal and disposal, and disaster-related emergency services that protect lives and public property from further damage, such as shelter operations and emergency-responder overtime. Public Assistance also helps to repair or replace damaged public facilities, such as:
- Public roads and bridges not on the Federal Aid System;
- Public water control facilities, including dams and drainage channels;
- Public utilities such as water treatment, sewage treatment and electrical;
- Public buildings such as police and fire stations, libraries and public office buildings, including their vehicles and contents; and
- Public parks and recreation facilities, including playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, ball fields and boat ramps.
To begin the Public Assistance process, state and FEMA officials will hold applicant briefings in the affected areas. They will introduce potential aid recipients to the Public Assistance process and address initial questions. Following the briefings, each potential applicant will submit a request for Public Assistance. FEMA will assign a Public Assistance Coordinator to each applicant to help shepherd the application through the funding process.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments 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: Wednesday, 29-Aug-2007 14:21:10