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U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, both D-Minn., announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the delivery of individual assistance for Minnesotans affected by severe storms and flooding across 19 counties: Blue Earth, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Itasca, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Steele, Waseca  and Watonwan counties.

The individual assistance programs provide disaster survivors with access to a range of programs and services to aid in the recovery process, including financial assistance to eligible individuals and households.

Damage assessments by federal, state and local emergency management teams are ongoing, and FEMA may designate more counties and additional forms of assistance as damage is assessed.

“The recent flooding inflicted serious damage across our state, and we must continue working together to recover,” said Klobuchar. “FEMA continues to be an active partner in the recovery effort so that our state can receive critical federal disaster relief funds. This latest round of assistance will ensure individual Minnesotans are supported  as they rebuild.”

“Minnesotans are still struggling with the aftermath of the severe flooding in June, and I appreciate the swift declaration from President Biden following our request for aid,” said Smith. “Minnesota continues to need help, and the federal government is answering. These expanded resources for individuals in more counties in Minnesota will make a huge difference as communities work to rebuild.”

In June, Klobuchar and Smith led the entire bipartisan Minnesota congressional delegation in strongly urging President Biden to approve Minnesota’s request, highlighting the need for federal assistance to help Minnesotans whose homes suffered damage from storms and flooding. This announcement follows the Administration’s initial Major Disaster Declaration in June, which made 22 counties eligible for funding to repair public infrastructure under FEMA’s Public Assistance program.