FEMA denies appeal for individual assistance

ST. PAUL -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied an appeal by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton for aid for individuals and businesses affected by the June flooding in Duluth and surrounding areas in northeast Minnesota.

"I am very disappointed that FEMA has rejected my appeal of their decision to deny the Individual Assistance for Minnesotans whose homes, businesses and lives were devastated by the terrible flooding," Dayton said in a statement. "I will ask the Legislature to include that assistance, estimated at $7.4 million, in the upcoming special session."

In its letter to Dayton, FEMA said after a "thorough review of all the information contained in the initial request and your appeal, we reaffirm our original findings that the damage to dwellings from this event is not of the severity and magnitude to warrant the implementation of the Individual Assistance Program.

The special session of the Legislature will be called after Dayton and legislative leaders work out an agreement on disaster assistance for the Duluth and other areas of the state.