This month, heavy rains and flooding caused severe damage to homes, businesses, crops, roads and personal property in dozens of counties.
The damage is so bad and so widespread that Governor Dayton recently declared a State of Emergency in 35 total counties, including Rice and Le Sueur. A wide range of state resources and agencies are currently deployed to help communities throughout our state during this time of tremendous need.
Over the past week, I traveled throughout our local communities to get a first-hand perspective on the damage, speak with state and local government officials, and talk with Minnesotans impacted by the flooding. I encourage you to contact me by phone at (651) 296-0171 or by email at rep.david.bly@house.mn if I can be of assistance in connecting you with state resources or provide information about ongoing disaster relief efforts.
Our region is no stranger to the economic harm caused by natural disasters. Residents and small businesses in our area have been hit multiple times by major storms and flooding over the past decade. During my visits with local officials, Montgomery City Administrator Brian Heck reflected as he looked at records of water levels in the water treatment system, "If we're having 100-year floods every year, what should we be prepared for if we have a 500-year flood?”
When those kinds of disasters strike, one thing is clear: Minnesotans stick together and care for one another.
Whether it’s volunteering to deploy sandbags or providing food and shelter for those whose homes have been badly damaged, I always feel humbled by the overwhelming amount of compassion, kindness and support Minnesotans show one another. We are at our best when we come together as a community to achieve what we cannot do ourselves during hard times. It also shows that government can play an important role in improving people’s lives.
At a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Thursday, President Obama said there is a strong likelihood the amount of damage will exceed the threshold required to receive federal aid. This is great news that would mean stronger and better recovery efforts over the coming months to ensure individuals, families and businesses receive the additional support they need and deserve. To ensure aid for local units of government that sustain significant damage but are not eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the legislature created a new program to provide disaster relief grants.
Beginning next week, state agencies will conduct damage assessments in a total of 49 counties and one tribal community damaged by the flooding that began earlier this month. This preliminary damage assessment is the first step toward requesting a presidential declaration of disaster.
Federal and state aid typically only covers costs to repair and replace uninsured public infrastructure, but financial assistance may still be possible for homeowners, renters and business owners from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). More information about SBA disaster loans is available online at www.sba.gov, by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by phone at 800-659-2955.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of help.