County Board passes resolution seeking federal disaster aid
Posted 5/4/01

By ERIC FREEMAN
Mille Lacs County Times

The flood waters of the mighty Rum River have receded but the crisis is not over for many residents of Mille Lacs County.
Mille Lacs County Board Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution that may pave the way to having Mille Lacs County declared a federal disaster area in the wake of April flood waters.

Mille Lacs County Undersheriff Mike Swedin, discussed recent flood damage and described the procedure to request that Minnesota be declared a federal disaster area.

In response to the information brought to the county board meeting Tuesday, April 24 the commissioners adopted a resolution requesting "A Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster."

The resolution cites severe losses of a major proportion, brought on by flooding during the periods of April 7-9, 2001 and April 22-23, 2001.

The resolution states that several homes as well as roads were severely damaged in the flooding, requiring repair and replacement. The resolution generally describes the damage to roads by way of wash out, culvert displacements and damage to the grading and placement of rock and pavement in many roadways throughout the county.

In a press release issued by the Mille Lacs County Sheriffís Department, county residents are urged to report flood damage even if itís not covered by insurance in order to accurately document the damage for possible use in the evaluation required for Minnesota and various counties to receive the federal disaster aid.

The press release noted that individual aid to families could be a part of the federal disaster aid, should it become available.

The resolution ended with a clause authorizing the county emergency management coordinator to coordinate damage survey teams and to assist in the administration of the disaster recovery process.

Residents wishing to report flood damage may do so by contacting Undersheriff Swedin at 320-983-8250.