Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Visit to Minot, North Dakota

[The Patriot]

Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Visit to Minot, North Dakota

07-13-2011 04:00 AM

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Minot, N.D.—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today joined North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman and Burlington Mayor Jerome Gruenberg in Minot, N.D., to survey the ongoing recovery efforts in response to the severe flooding in the area and meet with state and local leaders to reiterate the Obama administration’s continued commitment to working with our state, local and community partners to assist in the long-term recovery efforts of communities and individuals affected by the recent flooding in North Dakota.

“In the wake of the devastating floods and severe weather that have affected North Dakota and other states throughout the country this year, we are reminded of the critical role that first-responders and members of the public play in coming together to rebuild their communities,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Recovery efforts have only begun, and we will continue to work closely with our team of federal, state, local and community partners to help the people of Minot and other communities across North Dakota, as well as other cities and states experiencing devastating seasonal floods and disasters, to recover to be stronger and more resilient than ever before.”

While in Minot, Secretary Napolitano joined Governor Dalrymple, Mayor Zimbelman and Mayor Gruenberg for an aerial tour of the flooded neighborhoods and surrounding farmland. Following her visit to the Minot Emergency Operations Center, Secretary Napolitano also met with state and local leaders, as well as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to discuss the federal government’s ongoing commitment to recovery efforts. FEMA has approved over $13.3 million in assistance to individuals and households across the state, and over 7,900 North Dakotans have registered for FEMA individual Assistance.

FEMA has been on the ground in North Dakota since April, supporting the flood-fighting and recovery efforts, providing assistance to individuals, business owners, and the affected state and local government. FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino visited Minot on June 29, to meet with survivors and state and local partners.

President Obama, who has been in contact with Governor Dalrymple to express his concern for the citizens of North Dakota impacted by the historic flooding and ensure the state and citizens have the support they need as they continue to respond and begin to recover from this event, granted a major disaster declaration for impacted counties in North Dakota on May 10. This declaration makes federal funding available to North Dakotans and business owners who sustained losses in the declared counties, as well as to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding.

Families and individuals that have been impacted by the tornadoes and storms and need assistance have several options for getting help:

• Registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov,
• Registering through a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or
• Calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to midnight (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

For more information, please visit www.fema.gov.

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