Northeastern Minnesota Residents Get Extra Time for Flood Loans

Homeowners whose property was damaged by flash floods in northeastern Minnesota last June have more time to apply for forgivable loans.

Residents now have until Jan. 31 to apply for assistance under the Quick Start Disaster Recovery Program.

The program is coordinated through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. It provides a no-interest loan of up to $40,000 for home repairs, which is forgiven if the owner remains in the home for 10 years.

The floods that hit the Duluth area came after 10 inches of rain fell over two days. It washed out roads, overwhelmed storm drainage systems and killed 11 animals in the barnyard exhibit at the Duluth Zoo. Public infrastructure damage measured in the tens of millions.

Some 1,700 homes sustained damage and few homeowners had flood insurance.