Officials in Duluth to size up flood damage
by Dan Kraker, Minnesota Public RadioDULUTH, Minn. — Federal and state officials meet in Duluth Wednesday morning to begin assessing the damage done to homes and businesses by recent flooding. Results of the assessments could lead to federal aid for the region.
Local officials have spent the past three weeks examining flood damage. President Barack Obama signed a Disaster Declaration last week for federal aid to help repair public infrastructure. This newest assessment will determine whether the state is eligible for individual FEMA assistance for home and business owners.
Teams will fan out across a five-county area to record the damage, said Julie Anderson, spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
"Literally we will drive and then walk to see firsthand homes and businesses that have been damaged by that incredible flooding," Anderson said.
"We'll be walking and driving for at least two days, possibly even three, to really make sure that FEMA and HSEM really get a good, good handle on the damage done to homes and businesses."
The last time the state received a declaration for Individual Assistance was in 2009 following severe flooding in western Minnesota.
