Minneapolis Metro Tornado: One Year Later

On Sunday, May 22, 2011 a tornado struck Metropolitan Minneapolis and damaged several areas, most severely the northern part of the city. The casualties included one person losing his life and 48 people injured. 

The impacted area is home to about 7,000 properties and a little more than half of those were damaged by the storm.  One year later, the area is still recovering but residents can point to assistance from the federal government, as well as state and local entities, that has helped the area rebuild.  

Links to photos are available here.

By the afternoon of Monday, May 23, the Office of Rep. Keith Ellison had contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the offices of Gov. Mark Dayton and Mayor R.T. Rybak’s office to coordinate an effective response. He also toured the Minneapolis Metro areas that were damaged, including a visit to families who were staying at the FEC-National Armory. Rep. Ellison and the Minnesota delegation worked with Gov. Dayton and President Obama declared the area eligible for federal disaster assistance within weeks.  

Federal Help for Individuals and Small Businesses 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provided more than $1.1 million in low-interest loans to residents and businesses affected by the tornado. The city reports that as of May 10 residents had received SBA loans for a total of $893,900 and businesses had applied for and received loans for a total of $231,600.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) streamlined several of its programs to speed repair and replacement of damaged housing.  The federal agency also issued a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages; provides FHA insurance to disaster victims who had lost their homes; and shared information with FEMA and the state government to help locate available rental units for displaced individuals.  

By the end of April 2012, residents and property owners had repaired a vast majority of properties. More than 2,800 repair permits had been issued and $28.7 million in repairs had been completed or were under way.

[Source: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/special/tornado/index.htm]

Federal Help for Local Governments and Nonprofits

FEMA authorized assistance for Anoka and Hennepin Counties, and certain private nonprofit organizations, to repair or replace damaged facilities. 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

FEMA begins joint preliminary damage assessment. 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011
   
VIDEO: Ellison Floor Statement, thanking the first responders and 5th District residents for their work during the tornado 

Thursday, June 2, 2011 

Rep.  Ellison Press Statement on “GOP Plan to Cut Vital Funding for Minnesota First Responders.”

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Congressman Ellison speaks to residents at Northside Community Response Team Public Forum about progress made after 30 days. 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

U.S. Small Business Administration grants Governor Dayton’s request for Disaster Declaration. 

As a result of the declaration individuals were eligible for financial assistance from the SBA—even if they didn’t own businesses. In addition, homeowners, renters and personal property owners could apply to the SBA for loans to help recover from the tornado.