FEMA: No flood aid for individual Minn. homeowners

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Gov. Mark Dayton's request for federal aid to help northeastern Minnesota homeowners and small businesses repair properties damaged in last month's floods.

FEMA says the damage was "not of such severity and magnitude" to qualify for individual disaster aid, according to a letter Dayton's office released Wednesday.

The denial does not affect a federal disaster request for help repairing more than $100 million in damage to roads and other public infrastructure.

But it raises pressure on Dayton and lawmakers to deliver state help to flood victims after intense rains pounded northeastern Minnesota and communities south of the Twin Cities last month.

Dayton is expected to call a special legislative session in late August to consider state aid.

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