The major disaster declaration issued this week by President Obama will trigger federal resources to help 20 Minnesota counties recover from major spring flooding.

The declaration means that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75 percent of the cost of repairing or replacing public infrastructure in the designated counties. It also includes hazard mitigation funds that can help communities to take steps to prevent damage from future flooding.

"I'm very pleased that the president has issued a federal disaster declaration for these flooded Minnesota communities," said Sen. Franken. "This spring, I toured flood-ravaged areas in the Red River Valley and saw firsthand the damage caused by rising floodwaters. This declaration will help these communities get back on their feet and help them prevent flooding in the future. My staff and I will continue to work with state and local officials to get these resources out to local communities as quickly as possible."

The 20 counties designated for public assistance in the federal declaration are:

• Big Stone
• Blue Earth
• Brown
• Carver
• Chippewa
• Clay
• Grant
• Lac qui Parle
• Le Sueur
• Lyon
• McLeod
• Nicollet
• Redwood
• Renville
• Scott
• Sibley
• Stevens
• Traverse
• Wilkin
• Yellow Medicine