The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management announced on Tuesday that eight counties are added to the federal major disaster declaration that resulted from September heavy rain and flooding.

In an Oct. 14 letter to FEMA, HSEM requested Brown, Carver, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Nobles, Redwood, Sibley and Yellow Medicine counties be added to the disaster declaration after an additional $1.9 million in costs and damages were discovered.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty secured a major disaster declaration for 21 counties affected by September flooding. That declaration includes two categories of aid:

• Public assistance: Assistance to state and local government and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. This applies within the counties in the disaster area.
• Hazard mitigation grant program: Assistance to state and local government and certain private non-profit 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 this program.

FEMA will fund 75 percent of the approved cost. Eligible work includes debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repair or replacement of damaged public facilities such as roads, bridges, buildings, utilities and recreation areas.