Gov. Dayton Requests Disaster Declaration

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton is asking for a major federal disaster declaration for 18 Minnesota counties hit by flash flooding and severe storms in June.

Dayton sent a letter Wednesday to President Barack Obama.

The 18 counties are mainly in western, central and southern Minnesota. The counties are Benton, Big Stone, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Morrison, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse and Wilkin.

A preliminary estimate pegs the cost of damage to public infrastructure at $17.8 million.

If Obama approves the request, local governments, schools and some private nonprofit groups would get aid for storm-related damage. Expenses include removing debris and repairing roads and bridges.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency would fund 75 percent of approved costs. Local and state governments are responsible for 25 percent.

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