A disaster recovery center has recently opened in Waterville, southern Minnesota, to assist residents affected by severe storms and flooding that hit the community over a month ago.
FEMA Opens Center in Flood-Stricken Waterville
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inaugurated the center at City Hall on Friday, marking a critical step in the recovery process for this hard-hit town. The center, located at 200 Third St. S., will be operational daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., except for Tuesday when it will be closed for the Minnesota primary election. Residents can also seek assistance through FEMA’s online portal or by calling 1-800-621-3362. FEMA plans to keep the team in Waterville through September, with nearly $2 million already disbursed to aid flood survivors.
FEMA’s On-the-Ground Efforts and Resident Impact
On the opening day, FEMA representatives conducted a tour of the damaged areas, assessing the extent of the destruction. Cassie Kohn, a FEMA spokesperson, emphasized the importance of the recovery center for residents. “Our teams are on the ground. We have nearly 250 folks here in Minnesota right now with more on the way,” Kohn said. The center is designed to help homeowners, business owners, and renters connect with FEMA representatives to explore available federal assistance.
Resident Deb Hogan, a lifelong Waterville resident, shared her harrowing experience. “I’ve never seen flooding this bad,” Hogan remarked. Her basement was devastated by the flood, resulting in the loss of essential appliances such as the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer. Hogan estimated her losses at around $20,000 and expressed hope that any assistance could help cover some of these costs. “If they even get enough to pay one item off, that would be great,” she added.
Importance of FEMA Communication and Assistance Availability
FEMA urges all impacted residents to carefully read any correspondence from the agency, as these letters outline eligibility for assistance or explain why aid might not have been granted initially. In some cases, residents might need to provide additional information to process their claims. Alongside FEMA, state and local specialists are available at the center to offer guidance and support.
In addition to Waterville, FEMA has established recovery centers in 18 other Minnesota counties. Despite these efforts, Waterville faces a challenging recovery. The flooding was reported as the worst in the town’s history, with parts of the city submerged under more than two feet of water. Notably, most homeowners in Waterville do not have federal flood insurance, with only 33 active policies in the town, according to FEMA data.
As Waterville begins the process of rebuilding, the newly opened disaster recovery center represents a crucial resource for residents seeking to recover from the extensive damage caused by this summer’s unprecedented flooding.