VIRGINIA—Mayor Larry Cuffe Jr. spoke directly to residents at Tuesday’s council meeting and told them the city is doing everything it can for them after last week’s storm.
The rapid rainfall, which dumped inches across the area, led to numerous flooded basements in Virginia and also resulted in sewage backups for many.
“We will do whatever we can to help you mitigate and help you recover from this devastating storm,’’ Cuffe said.
The city has already asked residents to put the non-salvageable, flood-damaged items on the curb and they will be picked up. The process is going a little slower than expected because some non-storm items are being put on the piles, he said.
The pickup with loaders and dump trucks is expected to end today, but the mayor assured residents the city will pick up the storm-damaged goods. However, after Wednesday citizens need to call Public Works from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. to schedule a pickup.
“Please be patient. We will get there.’’
Cuffe gave out City Hall’s number (218-748-7500) several times and encouraged residents to call for help to get through this disaster, which led the city to declare a local state of emergency last Thursday.
The mayor also wanted to alleviate some misinformation regarding lift stations during the storm. “Our lift stations did not fail. All of our lift stations operated to their maximum capacity’’ and city staff monitored them throughout the storm.
Staff took steps out of the norm, he said, to open up the wastewater treatment plant bypass some of the filtration systems in order to dissipate the water as quickly as possible, and the sewage, as well.
Regarding sewage backups, “we apologize to the citizens of Virginia for being exposed to this. ... We know how devastating it was for all of you.’’
The city did everything it could during the disaster, Cuffe said, with city staff, councilors and himself helping out. “It was all hands on deck. Everybody that could come out did come out.’’
The city is now piggybacking on St. Louis County’s disaster declaration to hopefully get state and federal aid for residents and businesses that incurred damage.
Residents have been asked to submit their name, address and amount of damage through a link on the city’s website at https://www.virginiamn.us. The link is: https://forms.gle/s37t48EpKohpXV2c9 . Anyone that doesn’t have a computer or internet access can call City Hall.
The submissions will help the city get an estimate of just how much damage has been done and also help get state and federal aid.
Cuffe said last week the threshold for federal aid is $10.5 million in damages. “I’m sure it’s going to go way beyond that.’’
The city will compile the financial total of losses and submit that to St. Louis County and the state. Gov. Tim Walz has indicated he will declare a state of emergency, Cuffe added. Once a Minnesota state of emergency is declared, then a federal emergency disaster declaration will be sought. If and when that happens, FEMA will step into action to possibly help with repairs and to reimburse people for the disaster. Residents will be notified if the national declaration comes to fruition.
Flooding victims can get help from the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, which are working with St. Louis County Emergency Management. The number to call for assistance (through July 5) is 218-288-2213. All services are free, but not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need.
Help can also be sought at crisiscleanup.org, according to the mayor.
Veterans in need of assistance can fill out a United for Veterans crisis fund application at www.unitedwaynemn.org/united-veterans. In addition, the American Red Cross or St. Louis County have access to a referral form to programs to help with home essentials.
Cuffe again stated residents can call 218-748-7500 if they need help.
”On behalf of the city staff and the council and all of us, thank you for your patience in this difficult time for all of us. Let’s work together as a community to keep this a great place to live and to work. We’ll work hard to help you recover.’’
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