Minnesota State Wire

Lawmakers ask for federal assistance to help Minnesota communities recover from flooding 

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) urged the Biden Administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding.

“We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act to assist communities that are working to recover from severe weather this spring including flooding due to excessive snowmelt and rain. These natural disaster events have caused significant damage in our state, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal government disaster assistance,” the lawmakers wrote to President Biden. 

“Minnesota experienced record winter snowfalls and a colder than normal March leading to large snowpacks. In April, a rapid snow melt combined with heavy and continued precipitation caused high water and flooding throughout the state,” the lawmakers continued. “The resiliency of Minnesotans during times of natural disaster has been shown time and time again. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but timely federal assistance will speed up the recovery effort.”

Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Mr. President: 

We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act to assist communities that are working to recover from severe weather this spring including flooding due to excessive snowmelt and rain. These natural disaster events have caused significant damage in our state, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal government disaster assistance. 

Minnesota experienced record winter snowfalls and a colder than normal March leading to large snowpacks. In April, a rapid snow melt combined with heavy and continued precipitation caused high water and flooding throughout the state. Areas of the Mississippi River reached its highest water level in over twenty years, and the St. Croix River rose to its major flood stage. Flood conditions have also caused damage in northern and western Minnesota including along the Red River Valley.

Joint federal and state emergency management teams have conducted preliminary damage assessments and have determined that the losses meet the threshold for federal assistance under the Stafford Act through a Major Disaster Declaration. Governor Walz has submitted an official request for disaster assistance for the period of April 11 through April 30, 2023. The request covers 35 counties and the Prairie Island Indian Community. The letter was dated June 28, 2023. 

The resiliency of Minnesotans during times of natural disaster has been shown time and time again. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but timely federal assistance will speed up the recovery effort. 

We strongly support the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act and ask that you grant its approval to assist communities that are working to recover from severe weather this spring.

Original source can be found here.