ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty has asked President Bush to declare areas of southern Minnesota hit by severe flooding in September federal disaster areas.
Up to 13 inches of rain fell in a 36-hour period on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 in the Austin, Minn., area causing one of the largest flash floods in state history. The Cedar River crested 10 feet above flood stage Sept. 15, flooding more than 1,000 homes.
"The storms that swept through southern Minnesota earlier this month damaged homes, farms and businesses, but didn't damage the Minnesota spirit," Pawlenty said in a statement. "The damage meets the threshold for federal disaster relief. We'll be working with FEMA and the White House to get the relief Minnesota needs."
Damage in Mower, Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn and Steele counties was estimated at $6.3 million.
A Presidential Disaster Declaration would make the region eligible for a wide range of federal disaster assistance including low-interest loans to farmers.
