Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that the Presidential major disaster declaration for Minnesota now includes federal relief and recovery assistance for Roseau, Otter Tail, Pennington, Red Lake, Grant, Lake, Wadena and Mahnomen counties. The eight counties were added by FEMA today after damage assessments were completed last week.

“Flooding may have damaged infrastructure, but not the Minnesota spirit,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This federal assistance will help communities in these counties recover from damage caused by flooding this spring.”

Governor Pawlenty requested an expedited major disaster declaration in a letter to the President on March 25. Last week, President Obama approved a major disaster declaration for Traverse, Wilkin, Clay, Norman, Polk, Marshall and Kittson counties along the Red River in northwestern Minnesota.

The presidential declaration means that all 15 counties are now eligible for assistance to pay for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities and assistance to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

On Friday, individuals and homeowners affected by flooding in Clay, Norman, Traverse, and Wilkin counties became eligible for financial help or direct services from the federal government, including assistance for housing and other individual needs.

FEMA announced today that Disaster Recovery Centers will open at 12 noon, Wednesday, April 15 in Moorhead and Breckenridge to assist those affected by Red River flooding in Clay, Norman, Traverse and Wilkin counties. The centers are operated jointly by FEMA, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

DRC locations are:

Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Higher Education Community Center
1110 14th St. S (Corner of 14th St. S and 12th Ave.)
Moorhead, Minnesota 56560
Hours: 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. daily (except opening day, April 15, 12 noon-7:00 p.m.) until further notice

Wilkin County Community Room
505 S. 8th St.
Breckenridge, Minnesota 56520
Hours:
April 15 : 12 noon-7:00 p.m.
April 16 through April 18: 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
April 19: 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
This Disaster Recovery Center will be relocated to another area after its 4:00 p.m. closing on April 19.

DRCs provide an opportunity for residents to meet face-to-face with representatives from state and federal agencies and find answers to questions they may have about the recovery process.

Individuals are encouraged to register for assistance before visiting a DRC by calling 1-800-621- FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585. FEMA operators are available from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. CDT seven days a week until further notice. Registration can be completed online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Visitors to the DRCs will find information on:

· FEMA and State disaster assistance programs
· SBA low-interest disaster loans and how to complete the loan application
· Smart building techniques to reduce damage from future floods
· Flood insurance

SBA representatives at the DRCs will be available to meet individually with each resident or business owner to answer questions about the SBA disaster loan program, help them complete their disaster loan applications and accept their completed applications. Anyone unable to visit a center should call 1-800-659-2955 or visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.gov.

On March 20, Governor Pawlenty declared a State of Emergency for seven Minnesota counties as they prepared for serious flooding. His executive order activated the National Guard to assist in flood preparations and directed the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to activate the Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan.