Federal Government Request Approval

The federal government has approved a request for a major disaster declaration affecting 23 counties in Minnesota, including Aitkin and Morrison. Governor Tim Walz made the announcement on July 21. The request was made in response to a series of severe storms and flooding in April. Quick snowmelt and high snow packs in April led to flooding along the Mississippi and its tributaries in the Aitkin County area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Association will also make assessments to determine whether and which impacted residents and businesses can get individual assistance through FEMA or low-interest loans through the SBA