The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday announced it has approved assistance to individuals in southern Minnesota seriously impacted by heavy rainstorms and flooding in September.

The announcement came after Gov. Mark Dayton appealed FEMA’s original decision to deny individual assistance Nov. 17. U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Reps. Tim Walz and Keith Ellison also wrote in favor of Dayton’s appeal.

“This aid is critical as Minnesotans work to rebuild their homes and communities after severe weather this fall,” Dayton said. “I thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency for agreeing by appeal to reverse its decision, and for providing this needed aid to Minnesotans who suffered significant flood and storm damage.”

The decision will make financial help and direct services available to eligible people with serious needs if they are unable to meet those needs through other means, according to a news release. Individual assistance may include temporary housing, repair and replacement work on damaged structures.

The decision covers individuals in Blue Earth, Freeborn, Hennepin, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, and Waseca counties.

“I saw the devastation firsthand, and I know this federal individual disaster relief assistance is vital for the Minnesotans impacted by the recent storms and flooding,” Klobuchar said.

Dayton originally requested assistance for communities in southern Minnesota on Oct. 19 after damage assessments by FEMA, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and local governments. President Barack Obama’s original disaster declaration Nov. 2 made federal assistance for public infrastructure and hazard mitigation available to affected communities.

People looking to obtain assistance should visit www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance.