Four Minnesota counties qualify for FEMA assistance

St. Paul, Minn. — State officials say four counties in southeastern Minnesota will qualify for federal flood assistance.

Houston, Mower, Fillmore and Freeborn counties sustained a total of $8.8 million in public infrastructure damage from floods this month.

To qualify for federal assistance a region must have at least $6 million in damages.

Department of Employment and Economic Development Dan McElroy said FEMA has not yet declared the region a disaster.

"Because of the heavy damage, and more serious damage in states to our south, particularly Iowa and Missouri, we have to be understanding of the declarations perhaps not being as timely as they might be," McElroy said.

McElroy says he has asked state agencies to provide what assistance they can for now. For example, well testing is available at no charge through the Department of Health.