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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL)

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RELEASE: Ahead of FEMA and SBA visits, Rep. Ecklund encourages residents, business owners to report flood damage

Saturday, July 9, 2022

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) urged area residents and business owners impacted by this spring’s historic flooding to report damage to their county emergency management officials in advance of visits by key federal agencies. Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration are scheduled to tour northern Minnesota the week of Monday, July 18 to assess the damage.

“As we all work to recover from the recent devastating floods, the next step is a comprehensive damage assessment. Residents and business owners reporting damage to local officials as soon as possible before folks from FEMA and the SBA arrive will help them see the extent of the harm and hopefully get much-needed federal relief to those who are counting on it,” Rep. Ecklund said. “I’m deeply grateful for the volunteers, first responders, and citizen soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard who sprung into action to protect people and property throughout this historic flood. Folks in our region are resilient, and I know we will all pull together to fully recover from this disaster.”

In touring the damage, FEMA and SBA officials will determine the availability of individual assistance or low-interest loans for residents and businesses who experienced damage as a result of the flooding. The FEMA and SBA assessments are separate and for different types of relief, but will be done concurrently.

The agencies are currently in the process of mapping locations to visit. In advance of their arrival, Koochiching County residents and business owners can report damage to Willi Kostiuk, Emergency Management Coordinator, at willi.kostiuk@co.koochiching.mn.us. St. Louis County residents and business owners can report damage to Dewey Johnson, Emergency Management Coordinator, at johnsond@stlouiscountymn.gov

On June 23, Governor Tim Walz formally requested a federal disaster declaration to assist local communities with costs incurred due to the historic flooding. In just the first 28 days of emergency operations, Koochiching County spent $1.8 million on protective measures. 

On May 19, at Rep. Ecklund’s urging, Governor Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard to support flood control operations. The Guard had upwards of 150 soldiers at a time on duty filling sandbags.