Windom EDA Director Tiffany Lamb has issued a release stating that City of Windom and Cottonwood County officials continue to advocate for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance to be available.
As of Monday, a response from the FEMA visit had yet to be received, but Lamb expected that approval or denial could be released within days. She said if approval for the assistance is received, it's anticipated that FEMA will mobilize very quickly to establish a Disaster Recovery Center in Windom to assist the community. While this assistance is not yet guaranteed to be available, Lamb said, she recommended that community members prepare in the event approval is received.
Local officials are also asking for patience from the community at this time as it's also learning about this rarely available federal program. The last known time individual assistance was available to Cottonwood County due to severe storms and flooding was 1993 and, before that, 1969, Lamb said.
While waiting for an answer, Lamb stated, those with immediate needs are encouraged to dial 211 for the United Way, which provides free and confidential health and human services information. For flood-related mental health concerns, there is a national Disaster Distress Hotline -- operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration -- available by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990.
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