Friday, U.S. Representatives Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) urged the Biden Administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding.
“We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act to assist communities that are working to recover from severe weather this spring including flooding due to excessive snowmelt and rain. These natural disaster events have caused significant damage in our state, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal government disaster assistance,”the lawmakers wrote to President Biden.
“Minnesota experienced record winter snowfalls and a colder than normal March leading to large snowpacks. In April, a rapid snow melt combined with heavy and continued precipitation caused high water and flooding throughout the state,” the lawmakers continued. “The resiliency of Minnesotans during times of natural disaster has been shown time and time again. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but timely federal assistance will speed up the recovery effort.”
