Senator Amy Klobuchar

Working for the People of Minnesota

Press Contact

Joel Gross
Press Secretary
(202) 224-3244

News Releases

Klobuchar Urges Federal Officials to Respond Swiftly to Minnesota Flooding

Stresses the importance of federal visits to flood site

March 18, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar urged top federal officials to act quickly on a series of steps to prepare for and respond to flooding across Minnesota. In conversations with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and in a meeting in her office with Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate, Klobuchar underscored the need for FEMA to implement a comprehensive flood relief plan that involves continued flood mitigation efforts, immediate recovery assistance in both Minnesota and North Dakota once the flood waters recede, and an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for impacted counties across Minnesota. Klobuchar also stressed the importance of visiting the flood site.

 “As Minnesotans continue to battle rising flood waters, federal agencies should be on the ground ready to provide immediate assistance,” said Klobuchar. “I stressed to Secretary Napolitano and Administrator Fugate that the federal response to Red River flooding requires complete coordination on both the Minnesota and North Dakota sides of the river.”

On Thursday, the Red River rose above 33 feet and is predicted to crest on Sunday at 38 feet, according to the National Weather Service.  Last year, severe weather, above average rainfall and untimely melting of snow caused the Red River to reach a record 40.84 feet. Earlier this week, Klobuchar, Senator Al Franken, and Representative Collin Peterson sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he declare an expedited major disaster for the state of Minnesota in response to this flooding.

Klobuchar also highlighted the flood risks that other communities across Minnesota are facing and requested that Napolitano and Fugate ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to assist these areas. The Mississippi River in St. Paul is expected to hit flood stage of 14 feet on Friday morning and could rise as high as 18 feet, one foot above the major flood stage level by Monday evening. On Wednesday, local officials closed the Highway 10 Bridge in Little Falls due to flooding, and the closure could last several weeks until the water recedes.

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Senator Klobuchar’s Offices

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