~Federal government aid includes public assistance and hazard mitigation grants ~

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that President Obama has approved a major disaster declaration for Minnesota. The Presidential declaration clears the way for federal relief and recovery assistance for the following counties: Faribault, Freeborn, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Steele and Wadena.

Governor Pawlenty requested a major disaster declaration in a letter to the President on June 25, 2010 and amended the request on June 30 to include damage caused by storms from June 18 to the 25.

“Though the storms have passed, this remains a challenging time for many Minnesotans and a lot of work lies ahead.” Governor Pawlenty said.

Extreme weather has caused significant property damage to homes, farmsteads, public infrastructure and businesses. The preliminary damage estimate in the major disaster assessment reported a total of 842 dwellings impacted by the storms and expenditures are expected to exceed $35.5 million.

Additional damage surveys are in progress.

Today’s Presidential major disaster declaration includes two categories of aid:

• Public Assistance: Assistance to state and local government and certain private non-profit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. This applies within the counties in the disaster area.

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Assistance to state and local government and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards. All counties in the State of Minnesota are eligible to apply for assistance under this program.

On June 18, Governor Pawlenty declared a State of Emergency for several Minnesota counties after heavy rain, tornadoes and strong winds moved across widespread areas of Minnesota. The Governor’s Emergency Executive Order called for the Minnesota National Guard to provide public safety assistance to affected local governments.