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Last modified: Monday, April 13, 2009 9:14 AM CDT
Obama announces federal aid available
by Jennifer Johnson • Daily News
President Barack Obama announced Thursday federal disaster aid is being made available for the state of Minnesota to help response efforts in the area after it was struck by severe winter storms and flooding. Seven counties, including Wilkin, will be eligible for these federal funds.
Seventy-five percent of flood fighting expenses will be covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, leaving the state responsible for 15 percent and local entities to cover the remainder. FEMA's contribution would cover replacement or repair of damaged public facilities, debris removal from public areas and the cost for local hazard mitigation measure.
"The good news is that cities and counties can apply in-kind values toward meeting that 10 percent," said said Vern Woytassek, emergency management director for Wilkin County. "The majority of that in-kind value is placed on the hours that were spent helping the flood fight by volunteers."
The presidential declaration also opens the door for individual assistance programs to be implemented, said Woytassek. But he warned it hasn't happened yet, at least not right now.
"There is a good chance they will be," he said.
According to a FEMA press release issued Thursday, officials continue to perform damage surveys in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after assessments are complete. Michael Smith has been named as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
No start date has been established yet for individual assistance programs, but Woytassek believes it may happen by early next week.
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