Storm Cleanup: Dakota County Up for $1.4 Million in Federal Relief

Dakota County is in the running for $1.4 million in federal disaster relief to help defray the cost of cleanup from the widespread storm damage that rittled the county last week.

In Lakeville alone, the June 19 storm uprooted trees, destroyed buildings and homes, and even scattered and destroyed airplanes at Airlake Airport.

Elsewhere, towns such as Eagan, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights were also battered and Northfield suffered extensive flooding.

At the outset, it was believed that the county's damages exceeded $2 million, according to a report from the Star Tribune. The even storm prompted a deluge at Trout Brook and the Cannon River, washing away large portions of the boardwalk and three miles of trails at the Miesville Ravine Park Reserve. Elsewhere, flood waters swept away roadways, while high winds took down trees and powerlines .

Statewide, it is believed that damages total almost $109 million, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. However, the dollar figure for damage in Dakota is less than county officials anticipated. On Friday, Gov. Mark Dayton announced a that the county could receive $1.4 million in federal aid—just a hair above the $1.3 million qualifying threshold.

Dakota is the only metro area county included in Dayton's disaster declaration. If the Federal Emergency Management Agency approves the request, 75 percent of approved cleanup costs will be reimbursed.

Click here to see a complete record of past Minnesota disaster declarations.