GOVERNOR PAWLENTY SECURES ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND HOMEOWNERS IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA — April 10, 2009

Saint Paul, MN – April 14, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Tim Pawlenty announced this afternoon that individuals and homeowners affected by flooding in Clay, Norman, Traverse, and Wilkin counties will be eligible for financial help or direct services from the federal government. The major disaster declaration signed by President Obama yesterday was amended today to include assistance for housing and other individual needs for the four counties along the Red River in northwestern Minnesota.

The presidential declaration announced yesterday also includes assistance 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.

The public assistance is provided for Traverse, Wilkin, Clay, Norman, Polk, Marshall and Kittson counties. Individual assistance is not yet available in Polk, Marshall, or Kittson counties because damage assessments in those counties are ongoing.

“We appreciate the quick response to our request for federal assistance in the Red River Valley,” Governor Pawlenty said. “We need the help of federal, state and local partners to help people and communities recover from the first round of flooding and continue preparing for the second crest of the river.”

Governor Pawlenty requested an expedited major disaster declaration in a letter to the President on March 25.

Today’s amendment to the major disaster declaration includes:

Housing Assistance

• Temporary Housing: Money to rent a different place to live or a temporary housing unit when rental properties are not available.
• Repair: Money for homeowners to repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to repair the home to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition. FEMA may provide up $30,300, the maximum amount of assistance available for home repair from FEMA; then the homeowner may apply for a Small Business Administration disaster loan for additional repair assistance. FEMA will not pay to return a home to its condition before the disaster. Flood insurance may be required if the home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

Other Needs Assistance

Other Needs Assistance provision of the Individuals and Households Program provides grants for uninsured, disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs. Flood insurance may be required on insurable items (personal property) if they are to be located in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Assistance includes:

• Medical and dental expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Repair, cleaning, or replacement of:
• • Clothing
  • Household items
  • Specialized tools or protective clothing and equipment required for your job
  • Necessary educational materials
• Clean-up items
• Fuel
• Repairing or replacing vehicles damaged by the disaster, or providing for public transportation or other transportation costs
• Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster
• Other necessary expenses or serious needs
• The cost of a National Flood Insurance Program group flood insurance policy to meet the flood insurance requirements.

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.

Governor Pawlenty is also working with North Dakota Governor John Hoeven to undertake efforts along with city, county and congressional officials to accelerate work on permanent flood protection projects in the Red River basin. Governor Pawlenty met with Governor Hoeven, U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson and local officials from both states last week on this issue.