State Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne), Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake), and Rep. Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne) want residents of southwestern Minnesota to know that there are several state resources available to residents impacted by recent severe storms. The recent torrential rains, flash flooding, and tornadoes led Gov. Dayton to declare a state of emergency in 36 Minnesota counties, including Cottonwood, Jackson, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock.
“First and foremost, I want to express my concern and my sympathies for those who have been impacted by these terrible storms,” said Sen. Weber. “It is never easy to go through the turmoil of having your life upended by severe weather, but I know that the bond Minnesotans have with each other and their communities will help us through these tough times. I also appreciate Gov. Dayton’s emergency declaration and the decision to seek federal emergency assistance. After touring the damage in Slayton, Walnut Grove, and Balaton last week with the governor, it is clear our communities will need help to rebuild. In Tracy alone, I am told that 75% of homes experienced sewer and water backups in basements.”
“We’ve spent the past few days touring the impacted areas, hearing from the storm victims, and showing our support,” Rep. Hamilton said. “It has been heartwarming to see these communities pull together and help out their neighbors, and as state leaders we want to make sure residents know we are ready to help as best we can and direct them to people who can assist them with recovery efforts going forward.”
“These victims have every right to sit around and complain about the hand that’s been dealt to them; instead they are focused on discussing ways to prevent this kind of flooding in the future,” Rep. Schomacker said. “It has truly been inspiring to see this reaction, but it’s also important to make sure every resident knows that they should document their damage, take pictures, and submit their issues to emergency management and take advantage of the local resources that are available to them.”
- The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency has disaster recovery resources for homeowners, renters, business owners, local officials, and more: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/disaster-recovery/Pages/homeowners-renters.aspx
- The Department of Commerce has information that will help guide homeowners who have experienced flood damage: https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/protect/other/floods/what-to-do.jsp
- The Department of Commerce also provides a detailed disaster information packet: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/disaster-recovery/Documents/commerce-disaster-packet.pdf
- The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority offers a zero-percent Disaster Loan Program to help farmers with flood clean up, repairs, and replacement costs not covered by insurance: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/disaster/disasterloan.aspx
As private property will be the most difficult to get help to fix, anyone with property issues from the flood waters – even if minor – should be sure to report it to their local emergency personnel.
Emergency Management Region 5 (Southwest)
Program Coordinator: Mark Marcy, (612) 619-6115
Cottonwood Co. Emergency Management
902 – 5th Avenue, Suite 101, Windom
(507) 832-8255
Paul Johnson, Director
paul.johnson@co.cottonwood.mn.usJackson
Lyon County Emergency Management
611 West Main, Box 28, Marshall
Phone: (507) 929-6615
Tammy Van Overbeke, Director
tammyvanoverbeke@co.lyon.mn.us
Mark Mather, Deputy Director
markmather@co.lyon.mn.us
Murray County Emergency Management
Government Center, 2500 – 28th Street, Box 57, Slayton
Phone: (507) 836-1186
Heath Landsman, Director
hlandsman@co.murray.mn.us
Nobles County Emergency Management
315 Tenth Street, P.O. Box 757, Worthington
Phone: (507) 295-5212
Joyce Jacobs, Director
jjacobs@co.nobles.mn.us
Pipestone County Emergency Managemen
811 – 5th Street SE, Pipestone
Phone: (507) 825-6770
Casey Sievert, Director
casey.sievert@co.pipestone.mn.us
Redwood Co. Emergency Management
303 E Third Street, Redwood Falls
Phone: (507) 637-4035
Jim Sandgren, Director
jim_s@co.redwood.mn.us
Rock County Emergency Management
P.O. Box 509, Luverne
Phone: (507) 283-5065
Kyle Oldre, Director
kyle.oldre@co.rock.mn.us
Rock County Law Enforcement Center
1000 N Blue Mound Avenue, P.O. Box 509, Luverne
Phone: (507) 283-5000
Evan Verbrugge, Deputy Director
evan.verbrugge@co.rock.mn.us
The governor’s emergency declaration directs state agencies to help with recovery and requests the Federal Emergency Management Association to conduct a preliminary damage assessment. If that assessment finds more than $7.7 million in damage, Minnesota will be eligible for a federal disaster declaration.
“Rebuilding won’t be easy, but thankfully we have dedicated state and local emergency response staff who are out in our communities helping so many families work through these difficult times,” added Sen. Weber. “For members of the public who have experienced damage, I hope you will take advantage of the numerous resources available to help guide you through the recovery process.”