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Homeland Security and Emergency Management

A Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
 

What's New?

Minnesota School Safety Center is Getting a Boost!

​Kids on School Bus
Did you ever think of a school as a miniature community? If not, that’s okay: The Minnesota School Safety Center (MnSSC) does. 

Just like regular communities, school communities need infrastructure: transportation (school bus operations), healthcare (school nurses), food systems (lunchroom procedures) and public safety. That last part is where the MnSSC comes in. They help schools develop guidelines and processes to run smoothly and stay safe from threats, from fires to intruders to severe weather, just to name a few.

As families enter a new school year, learn how staff are getting some extra help to keep more schools safe in our latest blog.

Home and Business Owners Eligible for Disaster Loans

​Torrential rains in late June and early July left behind a trail of damage to public property and infrastructure. But dozens of home and business owners in southern Minnesota were also forced to clean up the muck left behind.

Now those property owners (and renters) in Dodge, Goodhue, Mower, Olmsted, Rice and Steele counties will get some much needed help to recover. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Gov. Walz’s request for low-interest loans to repair personal property damage.

If you are a home or business owner who experienced damage during the heavy rain, contact the SBA or visit their Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Dodge County between August 3-14. 

Property owners (and renters) with damage may apply online before the September 30. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 1, 2020.

President Approves Federal Disaster Declaration

​Flooding on Shepard Road in Spring 2019
Gov. Walz has secured a major disaster declaration after widespread severe weather in March and April caused significant damage around the state. Historic snowfall, a late winter storm, and major river and overland flooding impacted 51 counties and four tribal nations.

Joint federal-state-local preliminary damage assessments identified more than $39 million in eligible damages to public property and infrastructure. This included washed out roads and bridges, as well as damage to parks and buildings. Debris removal and emergency protective measures are also eligible costs.

HSEM will now work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local emergency managers to reimburse the counties for response and recovery costs.

Read more about the FEMA’s disaster declaration process.

SBA Loans Available in Five Counties

It’s hard to believe, but as Minnesota counties deal with flooding this year, many are still recovering from last year’s wet spring and summer. Now the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) is offering business, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofits Economic Injury Disaster Loans in Minnesota.

The loans are available in Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin and Watonwan counties for financial losses sustained during excessive rain and flooding between April 15 and August 17 last year. Loan amounts can go up to $2 million. The SBA will determine eligibility based on the applicant.

If you think you may qualify, apply for a loan here.

Severe Weather
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