Months after state officials announced Freeborn County was approved for more than $500,000 in funding to aid people with debris removal from the 2010 tornadoes, the county has finally received a portion of the money from the state to disburse.

Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said the county received its first drawdown from the state for more than $375,000 in the last week. Another more than $135,000 is still expected.

He said the initial payment will go toward the people who have already done the work they are hoping to get reimbursed for.

Applicants will be receiving 70 percent of their total requests for debris cleanup as more than $700,000 in requests was received.

Only residents who received damage between June 17 and June 26, 2010, were eligible. Assistance covered the cost of debris removal, including what has been paid to remove or dispose of debris or the estimated cost of debris that has yet to be removed.

Residents were required to have insurance and a letter from their insurance agency stating their policy did not cover all or part of the cost of debris removal.

Kluever said people can expect their funding in two weeks or less.

The money came from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.