In a letter, the delegation urged the President to issue a Major Disaster Declaration to assist communities that are working hard to recover from significant flood damage 

Earlier today, Governor Mark Dayton formally requested federal assistance to help communities rebuild and recover 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Representatives Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, John Kline, Michele Bachmann, Keith Ellison, Tim Walz, Erik Paulsen, and Rick Nolan today urged the Administration to provide federal assistance to Minnesota communities impacted by the devastating flooding that caused extensive damage across much of the state. In a letter, the delegation urged the President to issue a Major Disaster Declaration to assist communities that are working hard to recover from significant flood damage. Earlier today, Governor Mark Dayton formally requested federal assistance to help communities rebuild and recover.

“As we’ve toured affected communities in recent weeks, we’ve seen firsthand the damage these storms have caused,” the lawmakers wrote. “After disaster strikes Minnesota, we hit the ground running and do not stop until we have the resources in place to ensure that communities can recover. We urge you to make the federal government a full partner in that effort.”

The full text of the delegation’s letter is below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write in strong support of the request for a Major Disaster Declaration to assist communities in Minnesota that are working hard to recover from recent rain storms and flooding that have caused significant damage across the state.

As we’ve toured affected communities in recent weeks, we’ve seen firsthand the damage these storms have caused. From the Canadian border to the Iowa border, heavy rains have washed out roads, bridges and culverts and damaged wastewater systems.

The Governor has determined that these incidents are of such severity that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State, and thus has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Given the degree of damage, we strongly encourage you to issue such a declaration in a timely manner and allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to begin to supplement state and local recovery efforts in these communities.

After disaster strikes Minnesota, we hit the ground running and do not stop until we have the resources in place to ensure that communities can recover. We will continue to push for all available assistance at the federal level until the recovery is complete. Minnesota has faced significant disasters in recent years, from deadly tornadoes to widespread flooding, and we are confident that communities impacted by these storms will recover and rebuild. We urge you to make the federal government a full partner in that effort.

Thank you for your consideration of this request and for your assistance in helping the recovery effort in Minnesota.

Sincerely,

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