Dayton Seeks Federal Flood Disaster In 20 Counties

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton has asked President Obama to grant a major federal disaster declaration for 20 Minnesota counties affected by spring flooding.

Dayton sent the request to Obama Wednesday. Preliminary damage estimates in those counties showed $10.9 million in flood costs and damages.

Damage assessments are continuing in 15 other counties that could still be added to the declaration.

If the president declares a major disaster, FEMA will fund 75 percent of costs for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repair or replacement of damaged public facilities.

The 20 counties initially included in Dayton's request are: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Grant, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, McLeod, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sibley, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine.

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