Smith, Klobuchar, Finstad Urge Trump Administration to Approve Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) and Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) urged the Trump Administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities in southeastern Minnesota that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding this past September. If this disaster declaration is approved, the federal government will be able to provide disaster assistance for various recovery efforts.

“We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance under the Stafford Act to assist our constituents recovering from severe storms and flooding. These natural disasters have caused significant damage, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal disaster assistance,” said the lawmakers.

The lawmakers continued, “Time and time again, Minnesotans have stepped up to support their neighbors after natural disasters. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but rapid federal assistance will speed up this recovery effort.”

Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Mr. President: 

We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance under the Stafford Act to assist our constituents recovering from severe storms and flooding. These natural disasters have caused significant damage, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal disaster assistance.

In September 2026, south and southeastern Minnesota experienced severe weather events that caused flooding in the region. A line of thunderstorms formed late September 18 and repeatedly passed over the same communities into early September 19. Approximately 700 square miles across this region received six inches or more of precipitation within 24 hours, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In the City of New Richland alone, more than three-quarters of homes are damaged and residents of a skilled nursing facility were evacuated and unable to return to the facility. Many homes across the impacted area suffered flooded basements and damaged furnaces and boilers which will need repair or replacement ahead of the Minnesota winter. This storm event has been assessed as at least as destructive as the July 2026 mega-rain that many of these communities experienced and were recovering from just months prior.

Joint federal and state emergency management teams have conducted preliminary damage assessments and have determined that the losses meet the threshold for federal assistance under the Stafford Act through a Major Disaster Declaration. Governor Walz has submitted an official request for disaster assistance for the period of September 18 to September 20, 2026. The request, dated November 2, 2026, covers Fillmore, Houston, Steele, and Waseca Counties.

Time and time again, Minnesotans have stepped up to support their neighbors after natural disasters. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but rapid federal assistance will speed up this recovery effort.

We strongly support Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance, including for the Individuals and Households program and Disaster Unemployment Assistance, as well as Hazard Mitigation assistance to invest in disaster resiliency efforts. We ask that you grant its approval without delay.

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