PRESS RELEASE 7-07-2010

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management has set up a Disaster Recovery Center, which will be opening at the Wadena National Guard Army. The DRC is a place where state and local government agencies and non-profit organizations are invited to be available to provide information and assistance to recover from the disaster.

Location:
National Guard Armory
517 N. Jefferson Street
Wadena
(218) 631-1701

Schedule:
Friday, July 9, 1pm-7pm
Saturday, July 10, 9am-3pm
Sunday, July 11, 9am-3pm
Monday, July 12, 9am-3pm

The Presidential Disaster Declaration only included authorization for FEMA funds to reimburse local governments for infrastructure damage. Since the declaration did not include individual assistance, the state DPS Division of Emergency Management sent a letter to the Governor’s office requesting assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). They hope to receive a response prior to the opening of the DRC.

Otter Tail County Emergency Management

Attached is a a Fact sheet from the Department of Public Safety on the Disaster Recovery Center.

IMPORTANT:
The Disaster Recovery Center provides an opportunity to assess the needs of our communities as well as a critical opportunity for victims of the Tornado to access resources and supports.

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Wadena County Solid Waste
SCHEDULE THRU JULY 10TH
Storm Debris Depository @ Old Wadena Airport
Hours of Operation
Monday thru Friday July 2nd   7:00 AM till 7:00 PM
Saturday July 3rd 7:00 AM till 4:00 PM
Sunday July 4th and Monday July 5th  CLOSED
Tuesday July 6th thru Fri July 9th 9:00 AM till 6:00 PM 
Saturday July 10th 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM
Sunday’s     CLOSED  
REMEMBER THIS IS FOR STORM CAUSED SOILD WASTE ONLY!
NEW CONSTRUCTION SOLID WASTE MUST BE TAKEN TO THE
WADENA DEMOLITION WASTE LANDFILL AT THE RECYCLING TRANSFER STATION
OTTER TAIL NEW CONSTRUCTION SOLID WASTE MAY BE TAKEN TO HENNING OR NEW YORK MILLS DEMOLITION LANDFILLS

PRESS RELEASE
07-02-2010

Friday Otter Tail County was notified that the President declared a major disaster for Public Assistance ONLY for Faribault, Freeborn, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Steele and Wadena Counties for severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from June 17 – 26, 2010. This declaration also includes Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Because our request for Individual Assistance was denied, the state will be requesting a separate declaration from the Small Business Administration for the same counties.

Attached is the summary sheet from FEMA.

DECLARED JULY 2, 2010
SUMMARY

In the event of a declaration, the following information applies:

STATE: Minnesota
NUMBER: FEMA-1921-DR
INCIDENT: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
INCIDENT PERIOD: June 17-26, 2010
DATE REQUESTED BY GOVERNOR: June 25, 2010
DATE OF AMENDED REQUEST: June 30, 2010
FEDERAL COORDINATING OFFICER: Lawrence Sommers National FCO Program
DESIGNATIONS AND TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE (Assistance to individuals and households): None.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (Assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities): Faribault, Freeborn, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Steele, and Wadena Counties.
HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (Assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards): All counties in the State of Minnesota are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
OTHER: Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.

- Otter Tail County Emergency Management

For questions or more information regarding this press release, please contact Public Information Officer David Hauser, 218-998-8406 or 218-770-1383.



July 1, 2010

Volunteer operations as of July 1 will transition to Lutheran Disaster Relief. Organized self-sufficient volunteer groups may call 218-282-3006 to enquire about work orders and location to report. This will continue through July 11.

We are no longer in a position to support an individual volunteer program.

David J Hauser
218-998-8406

PRESS RELEASE
June 29, 2010

On Monday, the Chairs of the Otter Tail and Wadena County Boards of Commissioners Bill Stern and Roger Froemming, together with Wayne Wolden, Mayor of Wadena, met. It was determined that the volunteer center will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The center will continue to take requests for work through Tuesday, June 29, 2010. The center will complete as many jobs as it can. Priorities will be to open up passage ways, including those on private property, cleaning up yards and debris from fields. The center cannot provide volunteers to work on or in private structures and cannot work in wood lots. Individuals with private wood lots should contact DNR Forestry at 218-846-8363. The center especially can use the help of organized groups of volunteers with their own leadership.

Property owners who sustained damage should document their loss and expenses. Photographs can be very helpful. This is necessary both for insurance claims, and if any individual relief becomes available through FEMA. Oftentimes, the only available relief for individuals is low interest loans through the Small Business Administration. For many disasters, FEMA only provides reimbursement to the costs incurred by local governments. Farmers sustaining loss to crops and livestock should report their losses to their local Farm Service Agency. The East Otter Tail number is 218-346-4260; the Wadena County number is 218-631-2876.

The two counties continue to accept storm debris at the old Wadena airport east of the City on Sunnybrook Road. This site is only for storm debris and cannot accept other items such as new construction debris. Debris should be presorted into tree waste, scrap metal, masonry debris and other construction debris. More information is available on the Wadena and Otter Tail County web sites. www.co.ottertail.mn.us. www.co.wadena.mn.us. Property owners are responsible for bringing the debris to the center, the volunteers do not have the resources.

A request has been made through the Governor’s Office to the Federal Emergency Management Administration for a disaster declaration. Long-term disaster relief planning continues.

Otter Tail County Emergency Management

For questions or more information regarding this press release, please contact Public Information Officer David Hauser, 218-998-8406 or 218-770-1383.