STATE OF MINNESOTA Office of Governor Mark Dayton 116 Veterans Service Buildings 20 West 12th Streets Saint Paul, MN 55155 July 9, 2014 The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Through: Ms. Janet Odeshoo Acting Regional Administrator Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region V 536 South Clark Street, Floor 6 Chicago, IL 60605 Dear Mr. President: Under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.36, I request you declare a major disaster for the State of Minnesota as a result of a persistent series of heavy rainstorms and resultant flooding during the incident period of June 11 and continuing. Minnesota is experiencing historic summer flooding. The precedent conditions for the disaster were set this past winter when much of the state experienced well above average snowfall. Wide areas of northern and eastern Minnesota had between 150 and 200 percent of normal winter precipitation. Cool spring weather and an orderly snowmelt runoff fully charged the soils with moisture. By the end of April, wetlands and lakes were full; rivers and streams were running at high levels. Voice: (651) 201-3400 or (800) 657-3717 Website: http://mn.gov/goyernor/ Fax: (651) 797-1850 MN Relay (800) 627-3529 An Equal Opportunity Employer Printed on recycled paper containing 15% post consumer material and state government printed President Obama July 9, 2014 Page 2 In May, broad areas of the state received above average rainfall, causing localized flooding. In the Twin Cities, Lake Minnetonka and Minnehaha Creek reached all-time record high levels by the end of the month. A persistent pattern of rainstorms every few days began in the latter half of May and increased into June. Strong thunderstorms dropped very heavy rain on May 31 and June 1. Another set of storms struck on June 11 and significant flooding ranged from the far southwest corner of the state to the Canadian border. By the time the largest thunderstorms hit on June 19, the stage was set for major flooding. That night, widespread rainfall of three to six inches occurred, with reports of more than ten inches in central Minnesota. This brought a major surge of runoff pushing most streams and smaller rivers out of their banks and eventually raising the Crow, Minnesota, and Mississippi rivers to major flood levels. For each of those rivers, this is the biggest non-snowmelt flood on record, easily eclipsing their levels during the Great Flood of 1993. In far northern Minnesota, the Rainy River, Rainy Lake, Lake of the Woods, and Lake Kabetogama all reached record or nearrecord levels, closing roadways, threatening to inundate communities, and interrupting commerce. June 2014 was a record-setting month for rainfall. On a statewide basis, it was not only the wettest June ever recorded, but established a new high for any month of the year, besting marks from 1897 and 1914. More than 90 climate stations reported more than 10 inches of rain for the month. More than 100 daily record rainfall values were measured in June. At one point during the month, over 80 percent of all the stream gauges in Minnesota watersheds reported volume flows above the historic 90th percentile, a remarkably high fraction of the state and testament to the widespread nature of this disaster. To this point, 55 of Minnesota's 87 counties and two of the 11 tribal governments have reported damages and impacts. Some communities are still actively fighting floodwaters. While river levels are generally slowly receding, the National Weather Service forecasts some lakes could remain at historically high levels for the rest of the summer. Any additional rain and/or strong winds will place protective dikes and levees on those bodies of water at risk of failure. More than half of the damages caused by this event are to roads and bridges. Local governments have also expended significant resources taking emergency measures to protect their communities. The floods, mudslides, and sinkholes generated large volumes of debris requiring major cleanup operations. Initial local damage assessments from 31 President Obama July 9, 2014 Page 3 counties tallied more than $55,000,000 in response costs and uninsured damages to public infrastructure. The Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan was activated on June 11 and our state emergency operations center became operational that same day. On June 19, I issued an emergency executive order declaring a peacetime state of emergency in the counties of Beltrami, Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hubbard, Jackson, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Koochiching, McLeod, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Saint Louis, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Todd, and Waseca. Today, I issued a supplemental executive order to include Anoka, Chippewa, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Martin, Marshall, Stearns, Wabasha, Washington, Watonwan, Wright and Yellow Medicine counties. Preliminary damage assessments (PDA), conducted jointly by FEMA, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), and county emergency managers began on July 1 and are continuing. To date, teams have completed PDAs for Chippewa, Freeborn, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Renville, and Rock counties and the first day of a multi-day assessment of Hennepin County. Damage surveys provide visual observation of the extent of debris, emergency protective measures, and public infrastructure damage. The parties meet at the close of each day to compare findings and agree upon damages and costs. So far, the joint FEMA-State PDA has documented $10,820,898.00 in eligible damages, compared to Minnesota's statewide damage indicator of $7,372,455.75. Minnesota has already exceeded its indicator based on documented eligible damages in only nine counties. Given those figures, the fact that the PDA numbers are coming in higher than our initial damage assessments, and because the joint teams will not be able to assess some of the hardest hit areas of the state for several weeks, I am strongly compelled to make this request for a federal disaster declaration now. Upon completion of all the PDAs, we will formally request FEMA designate assistance for all additional counties and tribal governments that exceed their threshold. The following information offers a representative snapshot of the damages, focusing primarily on the hardest hit county in each category, to this point in the process. Overall, Rock County, in far southwestern Minnesota, suffered the most damage with staggering per capita losses of $589.58. President Obama July 9, 2014 Page 4 Category A — Mudslides closed more than five miles of Scott County Road 6 between the cities of Belle Plaine and Blakeley. At one point, the sheriff implemented an evacuation of Blakely, which also lost power. Portions of County Road 51 were buried under 10 feet of mud, trees, and other debris. The cost of clearing debris in the county is $4.86 per capita. Category B — When rising waters on the Rainy River and Rainy Lake in Koochiching County threatened roadways and improved properties, local officials organized and conducted emergency dike and levee building operations. National Guard forces deployed to the region to provide support. County per capita losses for this category alone are $16.43. Category C — The county and township road network in Sibley County was severely damaged. Floodwaters cut roads, blew out culverts, and undermined bridge abutments. The city of Henderson, along the Minnesota River, is still cut off in three directions, making local travel very difficult and harming everyday economic activity. The loss for roads and bridges in the county is estimated at $204.19 per capita. Category D — After more than seven inches of rain fell overnight, the dam on the river at Blue Mounds State Park in Rock County failed, dramatically lowering the water level of the reservoir. The rush of water was a significant contributing factor to the flashflood that inundated the city of Luverne. The per capita cost to replace this important water control structure is $154.85. Category E — Fairview Riverside Medical Center sits atop the west bank of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. As the final wave of rainstorms passed through the Twin Cities, a 100-yard swath of saturated bluff soils immediately adjacent to hospital buildings, including trees and brush, slid down to a parkway below, leaving six to eight feet of mud on the road. Professional soil engineers estimate the cost of stabilizing the hillside is $3,295,464, which is 45% of our statewide damage indicator. Category F — In Carver County, the wastewater treatment plant for the city of Norwood Young America sustained major damage when as much as nine inches of rain fell over a two-day period. Flashflood waters filled the lower level of the plant, where the pumps and electrical systems are located. The system failed and sewage backed up into homes. Plant workers are currently using a farm tractor to operate the sewage pumps. The county per capita loss for this category is $18.80. President Obama July 9, 2014 Page 5 Category G — Rock and Nobles counties jointly own and maintain 42 miles of track as the Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority (BRRRA). The track is a key transportation link for the local economy, serving as a connection between local agriculture commodity producers and the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway networks. Principal commodities carried along the line include animal feed, ethanol, fertilizer, dried distillers' grains, organic corn, soybeans. In Rock County alone, damage to the track is $154.85 per capita. Voluntary agencies supported disaster relief in a variety of ways. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army collaborated to provide more than 3,500 meals. Together, the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and Adventist Community Services distributed more than 1,250 flood cleanup kits. NECHAMA — Jewish Response to Disaster, worked with Catholic United Disaster Response and other organizations to help homeowners clean up flooded basements. Mennonite Disaster Services helped repair pasture fences. The State of Minnesota needs federal assistance to recover from this weather event. Minnesota continues to work on 11 open Stafford Act disasters. Minnesota's most recent disaster, FEMA-4131-DR, took place in June 2013 when a similar series of strong summer storms caused damage in 26 counties. The Minnesota Legislature met in special session last September to appropriate money to provide assistance to help local governments recover from that disaster. Disaster assistance allowed for under the Stafford Act is clearly warranted. Without it, and given the already heavy burden of previous disasters, Minnesotans will struggle to return their communities to normalcy. Thank you for your consideration of this request. cc: Ms. Kris A. Eide, Director, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division Minnesota Department of Public Safety Enclosures: OMB No. 1660-0009/FEMA Form 010-0-13 Enclosure B: Public Assistance DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OMB No. 1660-0009 Expires March 31,2015 REQUEST FOR PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION MAJOR DISASTER OR EMERGENCY 1. Request Date Jul 9, 2014 Burden Disclosure Notice Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 9 hours per response. The burden estimate includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and submitting the form. This collection of information is required to obtain a benefit. You are not required to respond to this collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to: Information Collections Management, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472, Paperwork Reduction Project (1660-0009). NOTE: Do not send your completed form to this address. Completion of this form including applicable attachments satisfies legal requirements for emergency and major disaster declaration requests under 42 U.S.C. §§ 5170 and 5191, respectively, as implemented at 44 C.F.R.. §§ 206.35 and 206.36. Failure to use this form may result in a failure to meet these requirements and/or a delay in processing the request. 2b. Population (as reported by 2010 Census) or estimated population of Indian tribal government's damaged area(s). 2a. Name of State (as defined in Stafford Act 102, 42 U.S.C. § 5122) or Indian tribal government requesting declaration. MINNESOTA 5,303,925 4. Designation of State or Tribal Coordinating Officer upon declaration (if available) and phone 3. Governor's or Tribal Chief Executive's Name number Mark Dayton Joe Kelly, 651 201 7405 - - 5. Designation of Governor's Authorized Representative or Tribal Chief Executive Representative upon declaration (if available) and phone number Kris Eide, 651-201-7404 6. Declaration Request For: 7. Incident Period: X Major Disaster (Stafford Act Sec. 401) Beginning Date ❑ Emergency (Stafford Act Sec. 501(a)) End Date or Jun 11, 2014 X Continuing If requesting a "continuing" incident period, enclose an official statement from a qualified Federal Government agency acknowledged as a national authority in a specific incident field (e.g., United States Geological Survey for seismic incidents, the National Weather Service for flooding). 7b. Type of Incident (Check all that apply) Drought ❑ Earthquake fl Explosion Severe Storm X (rain, high water, wind - driven rain, hail, lightning) Tropical Tidal Wave Tornado ❑ Depression ❑ Fire X Flood ❑ Hurricane X Landslide Snowstorm (Must include Enclosure D: Historic and Current Snowfall Data) Tropical Storm Tsunami ❑ Volcanic Eruption X Mudslide X Straight-Line Winds ❑ Winter Storm Other (please specify) 8. Description of damages (Short description of impacts of disaster on affected area and population). Include additional details in enclosed Governor's or Tribal Chief Executive's cover letter. A persistent series of heavy rainstorms caused river flooding, lake flooding, flash flooding, slope failures and ground collapses at a level Minnesota has not experienced in recent history. The flooding and soil saturations resulted in erosions and damages to the public infrastructure systems, to include but not limited to roads, bridges, rail, waste water treatment facilities, drinking water supplies, water control, and power distribution. These damages resulted in the following impacts to the affected jurisdictions; evacuations, 36 state road closures, 548 local/county road closures, lengthy detours, power outages, disruption to utilities and critical infrastructure, debris, closure to parks and recreational facilities, structural failures, water distribution line failures, sewer treatment facility bypasses, lock and dam closures, flooded single and multi-family residential structures, sewer backups, business flooding, economic loss to tourism, and other disruptions to the state and local economies. 9. Description of the nature and amount of State and local or Indian tribal government resources which have been or will be committed. Include additional details in enclosed Governors or Tribal Chief Executive's cover letter. On June 19, 2014, I issued Executive Order 14-11 which directed state resources to support the local response and recovery efforts for this disaster. Those activities, included but are not limited to; 110 National Guard soldiers and 19 vehicles deployed to International Falls and Henderson to support flood fighting operations, Department of Transportation deployment of 3000' linear feet of concrete jersey barriers to Warroad, and soil/geotechnical engineers to Henderson on the slope failures and ground collapses, Incident Management Teams deployed to International Falls and Waterville, Department of Health staff deployment to test local water supplies, Pollution Control Agency monitoring over 188 sewage bypass measures, Natural Resources and Board of Water/Soil Resources assessing the numerous slope failures and ground collapses which are threatening improved structures, and activation of the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate all state and local resources and to facilitate logistical requests for assistance. FEMA Form 010 0 13, (3/13) - - Page 1 of 4 10. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment* Individual Assistance Dates Performed Start Requested End Individual Assistance Accessibility Problems (Areas that could not be accessed, and why) X Public Assistance Dates Performed Requested Jun 25, 2014 Start Jun 30, 2014 End Continuing Public Assistance Accessibility Problems (Areas that could not be accessed, and why) 11. Programs and Areas Requested Individual Assistance X N/A me Individuals and Households I•11 Program All ❑ Disaster Case Management ❑ Crisis Counseling Program III ❑ Disaster Unemployment Assistance Disaster Legal Services For the following jurisdictions, specify programs and areas (counties, parishes, independent cities; for Indian tribal government, list tribe(s) and/or tribal area(s)) If additional space is needed, please enclose additional documentation). For States, identify Federally-recognized Tribes in the requested counties (if applicable). Please see Enclosure A: Supplemental Information for Individual Assistance for additional information in support of this request*. *Not Required for Emergency Declaration Request orm 010 0 13, (3/13) - - Page 2 of 4 11. Programs and Areas Requested (Continued) Public Assistance N/A X Debris Removal (Category A) X Emergency Protective Measures (Category B) X Permanent Work (Categories C-G)* (not available for Emergency Declaration Requests) For the following jurisdictions, specify programs and areas (counties, parishes, independent cities; for Indian tribal government, list tribe(s) and/or tribal area(s)). If additional space is needed or your request includes different categories of work for different jurisdictions; please enclose additional documentation. Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities for the following counties located within the State of Minnesota: Chippewa, Freeborn, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Renville, and Rock. For States, identify Federally-recognized Tribes included in the requested counties (if applicable). Please see Enclosure B: Supplemental Information for Public Assistance for additional information in support of this request*. Indemnification for Debris Removal Activity I do not anticipate the need for debris removal. I anticipate the need for debris removal, which poses an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety. Pursuant to Sections 403 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5170b & 5173, the State or Indian tribal government agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States of America for any claims arising from the removal of debris or wreckage for this disaster. The State or Indian tribal government agrees that debris removal from public and private property will not occur until the landowner signs an unconditional authorization for the removal of debris. X Request for Direct Federal Assistance X I do not request direct Federal assistance at this time. I request direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property, and: a. I request the following type(s) of assistance: b. List of reasons why State and local or Indian tribal government cannot perform, or contract for, required work and services. c. In accordance with 44 C.F.R. § 206.208, the State or Indian tribal government agrees that it will, with respect to direct Federal assistance: (1) Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements, and rights-of-ways necessary to accomplish the approved work; (2) Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work; (3) Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA-State or FEMATribe Agreement ; and (4) Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters. Request for Snow Assistance X ❑ N/A I request snow assistance. Snow assistance for the following jurisdictions (Specify counties, independent cities or tribes and/or tribal areas). Please see Enclosure D: Historic and Current Snowfall Data for additional information in support of this request*. *Not Required for Emergency Declaration Request orm u1u u 1s, - - Page 3 of 4 11. Programs and Areas Requested (Continued) Hazard Mitigation* OR X Statewide For the following specific counties, parishes, independent cities or tribes and/or tribal areas. 12. Mitigation Plan Information" a. Mitigation Plan Expiration Date b. Type of Plan March 2019 Enhanced MI Standard 13. Other Federal Agency Programs MI I do not anticipate requirements from Other Federal Agencies ❑ I do anticipate requirements from Other Federal Agencies Please see Enclosure C: Requirements for Other Federal Agency Programs for additional information in support of this request*. 14. Findings and Certifications X I certify the following: a. I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected local government or Indian tribal government and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary. b. In response to this incident, I have taken appropriate action under State or tribal law and have directed the execution of the State or Tribal Emergency Plan on Jun 11, 2014 in accordance with the Stafford Act. c. The State and local governments, or Indian tribal government will assume all applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act. 15. List of Enclosures and Supporting Documentation X Cover Letter Enclosure A (Individual Assistance)" El Enclosure C (Requirements for Other Federal Agency Programs) X Additional Supporting Documentation X Enclosure B (Public Assistance)' ❑ Enclosure D (Historic and Current Snowfall Data) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-Weather Statement _..... Jul 9, 2014 overnor's or Triba ief Executive's Sign e Date If anyone except the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive signs this document, please provide the documentation that establishes that this individual has the legal authority to act on behalf of the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive. *Not Required for Emergency Declaration Request / orm u1u u - - 13, Page 4 of 4 ENCLOSURE B TO MAJOR DISASTER REQUEST Estimated Stafford Act Requirements for Public Assistance TABLE A-1 SUMMARY OF ELIGIBLE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PDA CONDUCTED June 30 and continuing FEMA Minnesota STATE: POPULATION: 5,303,925 Population Per/Cap Loss A B C D E F G TOTAL County of County of County of County of Beltrami Blue Earth Brown Carver $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 44,442 64,013 22,893 91,042 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 County of County of County of County of Clay Dakota Dodge Faribault $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 58,999 405,088 20,087 14,553 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 County of County of Grant Goodhue $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 6,018 46,183 $0.00 $0.00 County of Hennepin $182,866 $340,312 $664,700 $108,027 $0 $0 $48,000 $1,343,905 1,152,425 $1.17 County of Hubbard $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 20,428 $0.00 County of County of County of County of County of County of County of County of County of Kandiyohi Koochiching Lake of the Woods Le Sueur Lyon Martin Mcleod Morrison Mower $1 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $6 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 6,018 42,239 4,045 27,703 25,857 20,840 36,651 33,198 39,163 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 County of County of $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 6,852 144,248 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 County of County of Norman Olmstead Otter Trail Pennington $0 $0 57,303 13,930 $0.00 $0.00 County of County of County of Ramsey Red Lake Ceded Land: Redwood $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 508,640 4,089 16,059 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 County of Rice $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 64 , 142 $0.00 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 15,629 129 15,226 36,576 200,226 24,895 19,136 6,576 124,700 10,438 5,303,925 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $6,199,317 $859,028 $289,636 $165,587 $1,776,021 $10,820,898 Applicant , County of Roseau County of Scott County of Sibley County of Steele County of St. Louis County of Todd County of Waseca County of Wilkin County of Wright County of Yellow Medicine State Agencies $0 50 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 TOTAL $902,718 $628,591 A B 'category percentage 8.34% 5 81% C 57.29% 7.94% E 2.68% F 1.53% G 16.41% federal sham (75%) $8,115,673.50 5,303,925 2.040167989