Walz requests FEMA aid for damage due to unrest, now an estimated $500M
[KSTP/ Chopper 5, File]
Gov. Tim Walz has requested federal aid in the aftermath of recent damage in the state which, according to refined estimates, now exceeds $500 million, reportedly making it the second-most destructive civil unrest incident in United States history, after the 1992 riots in Los Angeles.
Thursday, Walz requested aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help the rebuild process after roughly 1,500 businesses in the Twin Cities were damaged by vandalism, fires or looting at the end of May.
"We’re asking our federal partners to step up and help our communities recover," Walz said in a statement. "We need to come together to ensure Minnesotans who were victims of this destruction have access to critical infrastructure they need so they can go to the grocery store, pick up their medication, and live their lives. Together, we will rebuild."
"We are committed to helping our communities rebuild, but we can’t do this on our own," Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan added in a statement. "While state, tribal, and local budgets are stretched thin by COVID-19, we need everyone to step up, including the federal government, to restore safety and critical infrastructure to our communities."
Additionally, Walz is requesting President Donald Trump "declare a major disaster for the State of Minnesota," due to recent fire damage to infrastructure. A preliminary assessment puts damage directly related to fires at more than $15 million.
More from KSTP.com:
City of Minneapolis releases revised map of damage during recent unrest
ATF continues investigations into persons of interest in connection to Twin Cities arsons
Over $2.5M in grants awarded to help rebuild Twin Cities, small businesses