After sending a letter to President Bush supporting disaster declaration for four southern Minnesota counties severely damaged by recent flooding, U.S. Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz announced Wednesday the president has responded and a declared major disaster for Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, and Mower Counties. The four counties sustained an estimated $8.3 million in damage due to the flooding. These counties are now eligible to receive aid through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. Public Assistance is oriented to public entities and can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replace ment of a public facility or infrastructure, which is damaged or destroyed by a disaster. State officials, assisted by FEMA, will conduct briefings for state, local and other officials to inform them about the assistance available and how to apply for it.

“All four of these counties have experienced their second serious flood in just a few short years. This presidential declaration allows affected cities to obtain hazard mitigation funding that can help prevent flooding in the future,” Walz said. “Businesses like Austin Packaging Co. are counting on federal dollars to help make it possible for them to continue operations in our area. I believe this declaration will make the difference for APC and others who are trying to recover and plan for the future.”

In Freeborn County, the most severely hit areas were in the eastern half.

“These communities have shown tremendous courage and resilience since the floods hit,’’ Klobuchar said. “But at a time like this local communities should not be expected to fend for themselves. The federal government has an essential role to support communities as they recover and rebuild, and I’m proud that we will be able to deliver help quickly.’’

“Southeastern Minnesota is in need of assistance right now, and this disaster declaration will help the region recover,” said Coleman. “After visiting the flood-stricken areas, I saw firsthand the toll the storms took on these communities. A Presidential Disaster Declaration will deliver the assistance these counties need to rebuild their communities and their lives. I applaud the President for this decision — it will make all the difference for an area of the state that has endured great hardship.”

The support letter sent by Coleman, Klobuchar, and Walz, followed an official submission for assistance by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who requested federal assistance to help respond to the flooding of June 7, 8, 11 and 12 that severely impacted Houston, Fillmore, Mower and Freeborn counties.