Disaster Declarations Expand in Midwest

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Minnesota after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in July. The President also issued a disaster declaration for 25 Kansas counties hit by late-spring floods, tornadoes and severe storms.

Minn. Gov. Mark Dayton says the declaration covers 14 counties and one tribe. Preliminary damage assessments found nearly $19 million in costs and damages to the storm area.

The disaster area includes the counties of Chisago, Isanti, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Stearns and Yellow Medicine as well as the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

The declaration will send money to state and local governments — and some non-profit organizations — for repairs to facilities damaged by the storm in the disaster area.

Federal money is also available to mitigate hazards in all counties and tribes in Minnesota.

FEMA will fund 75 percent of approved costs.

In Kansas, the declaration covers the period of May 19 to June 4, according to Gov. Sam Brownback. The counties include Lyon, where the small town of Reading lost dozens of homes and businesses to a May 21 tornado that also killed one person.

The other counties covered by the declaration are Barton, Clay, Cloud, Hamilton, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Mitchell, Morton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, and Washington.

Federal officials say other counties may be added later.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has asked President Obama to declare a major disaster for four Iowa counties hit by severe weather and windstorms in early July.

Branstad announced that he has asked Obama for public assistance for Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama counties following widespread damage caused by storms that began on July 9.

Disaster assistance is still for Southern Illinois residents who suffered damage and losses during severe weather. The application deadline for assistance is Aug. 8.

State and federal recovery officials say more than $16 million in disaster assistance has already been approved for southern Illinois residents and businesses.