17 Cook County residents and businesses apply for FEMA funding following June flooding, assistance remains available
Federal disaster assistance remains available until the end of Sept. for Cook County residents and businesses impacted by the June 2024 flooding.
Approximately 20 Cook County residents and 4 businesses notified Cook County Emergency Management Director Mike Keyport to report damage to their property following the flooding earlier this spring.
According to Keyport, of the nearly two dozen, only 17 had applied for federal disaster assistance as of Aug. 20.
A new disaster recovery center opened in Virginia, Minnesota, on Friday, Aug. 16, to help Cook County residents and those in neighboring northeastern Minnesota counties navigate the federal disaster application process.
Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), state officials, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the center to help those impacted by the flood apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, and answer questions.
“We’ve all been waiting for this center to open,” Keyport said. “Maybe somebody’s not techy and would like to speak to somebody in person. They can go there and get their questions answered.”
He said, “It’s kind of a one-stop shop for folks.”
While the center is open for northeastern Minnesota residents and business owners, Keyport said, individuals can still access and apply for federal disaster assistance online.
Individuals can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621- 3362. For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Minnesota, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4797.
The deadline for applying for FEMA assistance is Sept. 27.
The FEMA disaster recovery center is located at:
St. Louis County Public Works Training Room
7823 Hwy 135 Virginia, MN 55792
Hours: Mon. – Sun. 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
In addition to the federal disaster assistance through FEMA, the Small Business Administration also provides property disaster loans for business owners, non-profits, homeowners, and renters. Those seeking access to loans can fill in applications at the FEMA center, or apply online. The SBA also offers a helpline for applicants, 1-800-659-2955.
- Maximum loan up to: $500,000 for real property disaster loans for homeowners
- $100,000 for personal property disaster loans for homeowners and renters which includes: furniture, clothing, automobiles, etc.
- $2 million for businesses and non-profits which consists of the total loan amount for property, mitigation, and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan “EIDL”. Please note that only the EIDL has an application deadline of April 29, 2025. Applicants can speak to the Loan Officer to determine if they are eligible to apply for a mitigation loan.
- No application fee
- No interest accrues during the first year of the loan
- First loan payment is not due for a period of one year
- Do not have to wait for insurance claim settlement or a FEMA grant in order to apply for a SBA disaster loan
- No collateral is requested for loans $25,000 or less
- Most loan terms are 30 years
WTIP spoke with Cook County Emergency Management Director Mike Keyport about the newly opened disaster recovery center and details about applying for the federal disaster assistance. Audio below.
WTIP also spoke with Monica Myles, a public affairs officer with the Small Business Administration about the process for business owners and residents to apply for federal disaster assistance. Audio below.
Kalli Hawkins August 21, 2024
