Klobuchar: Flood Damage Is 'Massive'
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar says the severity of flood damage in northeastern Minnesota is massive.
Klobuchar toured flood-damaged parts of Duluth and the smaller towns of Proctor, Carlton and Moose Lake on Friday. She gave assurances that federal aid would be forthcoming.
When natural disasters cause more than $8 million in damage the federal government contributes 75 percent toward repairing uninsured public infrastructure. Klobuchar says that threshold will be easily met.
She says officials from the Federal Emergency Management Administration will meet with state officials in St. Paul on Monday, then head to Duluth by Tuesday to begin assessing damages.
Klobuchar says some business owners could be eligible for Small Business Association loans.
Most residents in the area do not have flood insurance.
Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Chip Cravaack also toured Duluth Friday.
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)