Flooded Minnesota rivers haven’t reached their peaks yet, but federal officials already have designated $750,000 in emergency funding for the state.
Gov. Mark Dayton declared a state of emergency in 35 counties last week, after severe storms and heavy rain led to a spate of flooding around the state.
Dayton said Tuesday that he’ll consider a special session of the Legislature to fill any gaps in the federal aid.
In announcing the first round of aid, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the funding from the Federal Highway Administration will help the state cover repairs of roads damaged by floods:
“These funds are a down payment to help Minnesotans begin repairing roads damaged in last week’s flooding. One of the first steps in getting repairs under way is to make funds available and we are working to ensure the state can get the necessary work started quickly.”
This first round of emergency relief funding will reimburse the state for emergency work done on federal-aid roads and bridges damaged by floods.
