ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Governor Tim Pawlenty says he'll call legislators into special session for one day in early October to approve flood relief money.
Pawlenty says the session will be sometime between Oct. 7 and 12. The session has to wait for a federal disaster declaration and damage estimates that will give the most accurate picture of how much money is needed.
Heavy rain last week caused serious flooding in parts of southern Minnesota. The small towns of Zumbro Falls and Hammond were among the hardest hit.
Crews from FEMA are in Minnesota meeting with state emergency management officials, and are expected to begin assessing flood damage in communities across southern Minnesota.
Pawlenty says the state is expected to have about $235 million left at the end of the current budget period, and he doesn't expect the flood costs to go above that.
Damaged roads, bridges and schools would qualify for financial assistance. Help for individual homeowners is yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, emergency management officials continue to monitor river levels in southern Minnesota as the water churns towards the Twin Cities.
Areas of concern for the coming week include the Minnesota River in Scott and Carver counties and the Mississippi River at St. Paul and Hastings.
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