June storm damage prompts state to request federal aid

State officials have asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct preliminary damage assessments after storms barreled through Minnesota last month.

From June 20 to 26, severe weather caused extensive damage across 23 counties, about a quarter of the state, according to the Star Tribune. Thousands of downed trees and flash flooding cut off electricity for more than a half million people, the largest power outage on record.

The newspaper reports damage must meet or exceed the $7.26 million threshold required for federal assistance. This number only applies to uninsured damage to public facilities and infrastructure, according to a KARE 11 report.

The Insurance Federation of Minnesota already estimated an overall damage total of about $100 million.

In southeast Minnesota, flood damage estimates for uninsured property in Houston County alone have risen to at least $6 million, the Rochester Post Bulletin reported.

If it's determined that the damage threshold has been met, Gov. Mark Dayton would send a formal request for assistance to President Barack Obama. Aid, if approved, would likely come in the form of federal grants.

FEMA has been asked by the state to begin assessing damage on Monday.