Major disaster declared in 16 areas in Minnesota

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in parts of Minnesota after last month's heavy storms and flooding around Duluth.

Declarations like these are important because they allow federal money to begin flowing.

The money will go to the state as well as to local governments to help repair and replace roads, bridges and any other facilities damaged by the torrential rains and flooding that followed.

The disaster declaration covers all of northeastern Minnesota, as well as counties south and west of the Twin Cities that were hit hard by the storms.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency also said other parts of the state could be eligible for aid if it's requested and needed.

The declaration was issued for 13 Minnesota counties and three tribal nations after preliminary assessments showed that floods and storms last month caused more than $108 million in damage. Friday's declaration covers Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Lake, Meeker, Pine, Rice, Sibley and St. Louis counties as well as the Fond du Lac Tribal Nation, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the Grand Portage Tribal Nation.

FEMA will cover 75 percent of costs related to fixing or replacing roads, bridges or other public facilities.

The state also requested individual assistance for some who were not covered by insurance. Those assessments will start July 11.

N.E. Minnesota Flooods
• 'This is what global warming looks like'
• Jay Cooke State Park closed indefinitely
• Grappling with private property damage
• Climate change and Duluth's rebuilding plans
• Road repairs could takes to complete
• Photos: Duluth, northeast Minnesota awash
• Photos: Gooseberry Falls at full trottle
• Photos: The wake of the flood
• Photos: Sandbagging in Moose Lake

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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