Flood Recovery: News you can use
By: News Tribune staff, Duluth News Tribune
Register to volunteer or to get help
People who need to report damage to personal property or are in need of volunteer or other assistance, should continue to call 211 or go to www.unitedwayduluth and click on “GET HELP.”
People interested in volunteering to help with flood clean-up and recovery efforts can now register online.
To register, go to the city of Duluth website at www.duluthmn.gov and click on the crawling red “DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY” banner at the top of the page or go to the United Way of Greater Duluth website at www.volunteerduluth.org and click on “GIVE HELP” button on the left side of the page.
To register, people will answer a survey asking for contact information, availability, experience and skills. The information will go into a centralized volunteer registration database, allowing the city and other coordinating organizations to match up volunteers with needed help.
Mail available
Duluth area residents who are not receiving mail due to closed or impassable roads may pick up their mail at the Duluth Main Post Office or the Mt. Royal Station until regular delivery is restored. Customers should bring a current photo ID.
Customers in ZIP Codes 55802, 55805-8, and 55810-12 should go to the Main Post Office at 2800 W. Michigan Ave. Mail will be available for pickup during window hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Customers in ZIP Codes 55803 and 55804 can collect their mail at the Mt. Royal Station, 2800 Mt. Royal Shopping Circle, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Report damage
Minnesota residents with storm damage should report it immediately to their county emergency managers.
Free disposal of flood debris, appliances
The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District will waive disposal fees for flood damaged household materials at the Materials Recovery Center on Rice Lake Road through Friday. The facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The following items will be accepted free of charge. Be sure to separate loads by category:
The Shamrock Landfill in Cloquet has been temporarily authorized to accept brush and construction debris, including carpets and furniture, from Cloquet property owners at no charge. Identification required.
Local waste haulers can also be contracted for a fee to pick up material from residential customers.
Sand and black top is accepted at the following sites in Duluth: 34th Avenue East and Valley Drive; Chester Bowl; Duluth Heights Community Club; Lester Park; Piedmont Community Center; Stowe School; Wheeler Field; Woodland Community Center.
Carlton County property assessments
Carlton County needs to inspect and reassess all properties damaged in this week’s flooding, Carlton County Assessor Marci Moreland said. The purpose of the reassessments is for property tax relief and to help determine eligibility for any federal assistance that may come available.
Inspections are expected to begin Monday. To get an accurate accounting of damages, it is best that property owners do not make any repairs before the inspection, unless the repairs are necessary immediately.
Property owners who suffered damages due to the floods can call the assessor’s office at (218) 384-9142 or (218) 284-9144. Callers who can’t reach anyone are asked to call (218) 384-9149 and leave their name, address and phone number.
Health tips
The Minnesota Department of Health has created a webpage for health-related flood information at www.health.state.mn.us/2012flood.
Help With Insurance Claims
Insurance experts with the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s consumer response team can help Minnesotans understand their rights, work with insurers to settle claims and help storm victims make informed insurance decisions. The team can be reached at (651) 296-2488 or (800) 657-3602 or consumer.protection@state.mn.us.
YMCA offers use of facilities
The Duluth Area Family YMCA and the Superior YMCA have opened their doors to victims of the flooding that has occurred in the Twin Ports.
In response to community need, both YMCA locations are welcome those who need showers to come to the Y and use the showering facilities for free.
If you and/or your family have suffered damage to your home, the Y is here for you. Contact the Duluth Area Family YMCA at (218) 722-4745 or the Superior YMCA at (715) 392-5611 for more information.
U of M resources
The University of Minnesota Extension offered this list of disaster resources. Also available are the Extension’s toll-free phone services, the Flood Information Line at (800) 232-9077 or e-mail fil@umn.edu, and the AnswerLine at (800) 854-1678. The Extension’s Flood Information Line is a resource for questions about water, crops, horticulture and climatology issues and provides answers to household and family-oriented questions, such as cleaning, mildew and food safety issues.
The Extension’s online resources include information on recovering from floods. Family, finances, household, and farm topics are addressed. Both phone services will refer callers to appropriate state and federal agencies if additional information is needed. Go to University of Minnesota Extension-Disaster Recovery Resources at www.extension.umn.edu/family/tough-times/disaster-recovery/
Other disaster resources
Tags: flood info, news, flood
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