~ Following aerial tour of flooding, Presidential declaration announced for Winona, Houston and Fillmore Counties, process continuing for other counties ~

Winona, Minn. – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Governor Tim Pawlenty announced this evening that President Bush has approved an emergency disaster declaration for three Minnesota counties hardest hit by severe flash floods on Sunday, August 19.

The move clears the way for federal relief and recovery assistance in Winona, Fillmore and Houston counties in southeastern Minnesota. Governor Pawlenty sent a letter to President Bush yesterday requesting an expedited emergency disaster declaration.

Ordinarily, preliminary damage assessments are completed before the emergency disaster declaration is requested. However, Governor Pawlenty said in yesterday’s letter that he can attest from two days of visiting many of the hardest hit areas that the magnitude of this natural disaster will exceed the thresholds needed to qualify for federal relief.

“We are grateful for the quick turnaround from the federal government,” Governor Pawlenty said. “As we pull together to recover from this devastating flood, it helps significantly to have the full and rapid support of our federal partners.”

On Sunday, August 19, Governor Pawlenty declared a state of emergency for Winona, Wabasha, Fillmore, Houston, Steele and Olmsted counties in southeastern Minnesota due to the heavy rain and flooding that caused road, infrastructure and life safety issues.

Secretary Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison traveled to Minnesota this afternoon to view flood damage firsthand. They joined Governor Pawlenty for a helicopter tour of the area including Rushford, Hokah, La Crescent and Winona. Governor Pawlenty will be back in the area again tomorrow.

FEMA assessments are continuing in the other three counties that incurred costs due to flooding – Wabasha, Olmsted and Steele. Officials expect to complete and submit preliminary damage assessments for all six counties on Friday.

The presidential disaster declaration makes available funds from a number of federal programs. Not all programs are activated for every disaster. The determination of which programs are activated is based on the needs found during damage assessment and any subsequent information that may be discovered. FEMA disaster assistance falls into three general categories:

FEMA disaster assistance falls into three general categories:

• Individual Assistance — aid to individuals and households;
• Public Assistance — aid to public (and certain private non-profit) entities for certain emergency services and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities; 
• Hazard Mitigation Assistance — funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property.

Some declarations will provide only individual assistance or only public assistance. Hazard mitigation opportunities are assessed in most situations.

Individual Assistance
Individuals and Households Program
The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) is a combined FEMA and State program. When a major disaster occurs, this program provides money and services to people in the declared area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance. In every case, the disaster victim must register for assistance and establish eligibility. The toll-free telephone registration number is 1‑800‑621-FEMA (or TTY 1‑800‑462‑7585 for the hearing or speech impaired). FEMA (or the providing agency) will verify eligibility and need before assistance is offered.

What Types of Assistance Are Provided?
The IHP - Housing Assistance assures that people whose homes are damaged by disaster have a safe place to live. The IHP - Other Needs Assistance (ONA) provides financial assistance to individuals and households who have other disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs and do not qualify for a low interest loan from Small Business Administration (SBA). These programs are designed to provide funds for expenses that are not covered by insurance. They are available only to homeowners and renters who are United States citizens, non-citizen nationals, or qualified aliens affected by the disaster. The following is a list of the types of assistance available through this program and what each provides.

Temporary Housing - homeowners and renters receive funds to rent a different place to live or a temporary housing unit when rental properties are not available.

Repair - homeowners receive grants to repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe and sanitary.

Replacement - under rare conditions, homeowners receive limited funds to replace their disaster damaged home.

Semi-Permanent or Permanent Housing Construction - homeowners and renters receive direct assistance or a grant for the construction of a new home. This type of assistance occurs only in very unusual situations, in locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing is possible.

Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for a SBA loan before receiving assistance.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.