Deadline to apply for federal flood damage assistance today

by Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Public Radio

Moorhead, Minn. — Minnesota residents with flood damaged property must apply for federal assistance by 11 p.m. today.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spokesman Ed Edahl said about 1300 Minnesotans have registered with the organization. He said even residents who are unsure if they have enough damage to qualify should fill out an application.

"Don't do your own inspection," Edahl said. "Let us do it. And we want to make sure everybody that is entitled to some aid actually gets it."

Edahl said some people assume they won't qualify and don't bother to apply for assistance.

"There's a lot of help available," Edahl said. "But from FEMA, all this comes directly from registering to make sure we know who you are. People who think they have damage should register and make a claim for it."

Minnesota residents have already received $5.6 million in federal assistance.

While the deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance is today in Minnesota, North Dakota residents have until August 10th to register with FEMA.

Residents can apply at a local FEMA office, or on line at www.disasterassistance.gov.