Federal emergency agencies assess Waseca flood damage

Oct. 12--WASECA -- Federal officials began the process Wednesday of touring homes and public infrastructure in southern Minnesota that was severely damaged by flooding in September.

In Waseca, an estimated 500 homes were significantly damaged by the Sept. 21-22 storm that dumped about 14 inches of rain on already saturated ground, said City Manager Danny Lenz. About 2,000 homes in the city were impacted by the storm in some way. Many basements were damaged by water.

Officials from Waseca, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency toured several homes Wednesday, collecting information about the state and local response so far and gauging the gravity of the aftermath.

The storm caused the foundation of one home on Sixth Avenue Southwest across from Casey's general store to cave in entirely, leaving the small home exposed. The home was being rented by a seasonal worker at Birds Eye Foods and the family has returned to its permanent residence, Lenz said.

Birds Eye Foods had to let its workers go about three to four weeks early this year amid problems associated with the flooding. The absence of workers caused a domino effect of losses for schools and retailers, Lenz said.

The foundation of another home on Third Avenue Southeast also caved in and Lenz told officials he was concerned rain and snow could cause the entire rented home to collapse.

With the temperature hovering in the low 40s Wednesday, securing aid to help residents replace appliances is critical, Lenz said.

"We have a lot of people who can't afford to replace water heaters, furnaces that were damaged and need to be replaced from the storm," he said. Repairing the appliances is unsafe because of possible contamination as well as the potential for fires, he stressed.

Lenz said the number of homes damaged is unprecedented and FEMA aid would be highly beneficial to help residents with appliance replacement.

"Any community that sits between two, three lakes, you're going to have some flooding occasionally, but there's nothing that's been like this in anyone's memory," he said.

If the preliminary damage assessments exceed the federally determined damage threshold of $7.5 million statewide, the process for securing aid will continue. Homeland Security will prepare the governor's request for a disaster declaration that documents severity, magnitude and impact as well as the local emergency response.

After that, the governor submits the letter to the president through FEMA. The president is the only one with the authority to grant a presidential disaster declaration. If assistance programs are approved, Homeland Security and FEMA officials will work together to help victims.

Damage has been estimated at $14 million in Minnesota, largely concentrated in the southern region, said Kevin Reed, deputy director for Homeland Security and Emergency Management for Minnesota. That estimate may change as the assessment process continues.

"We'll be here as long as Minnesota would like us to be here so we can capture the full damage extent," said Sandy Jasmund, external affairs officer for FEMA. "We'll be taking a look at everything the local officials would like us to see. Homeowners' insurance, flood insurance is primary. We'll be taking a look at anything after that would be covered."

Crews will be touring the region through Friday and will visit Blue Earth County Thursday morning.

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