Survey documents more than 75 homes destroyed
[Rochester, MN, Saturday June 19, 2010] – Trained Red Cross damage assessment have completed their survey of damage caused to homes, mobile homes, and apartments in Minnesota due to the storms that hit the state on Thursday night, June 16. The final report shows that a total of 673 dwellings were affected by this disaster. Of those, 77 were destroyed rendering them permanently uninhabitable. Another 126 suffered major damage, meaning that extensive repairs are needed to make the home habitable; and 192 received minor damage, requiring minor repairs or cleaning to be made habitable.
Wadena and Freeborn Counties are responsible for a large portion of the damage statistics, however damage was widespread throughout the state. Here is how it looks in each of the affected counties.
In Faribault County 6 homes were destroyed while 2 suffered major damage and 14 had minor damage. In Freeborn county, one of the hardest hit areas – 32 homes were destroyed, 17 showed major damage and 57 showed minor. In Olmsted County, 8 homes were destroyed, 19 had major damage and 35 had minor. To the west in Steele County 4 homes have been destroyed, 12 had major damage and 10 displayed minor damage. The majority of damage was in Wadena County which has 27 destroyed homes, 76 with major damage and 76 with minor damage.
“Gathering this disaster damage information is critical to the success of our operation,” said Melanie Tschida, Executive Director of the Southeast Minnesota American Red Cross. “With this information, we can determine priorities for providing assistance, verify the damage suffered by families requesting Red Cross disaster assistance and determine where needs are most urgent. Additionally, decisions such as staffing supply needs, estimating relief costs and providing a basis for fund-raising decisions are all based on a complete and accurate damage assessment.”
As a result of the tornadoes, the Red Cross opened several shelters and is currently feeding in several locations. Health and Mental Health Services as well as individual assistance is available.
Though the survey has been completed, the number of affected dwellings may still vary somewhat during the following weeks. “Historically, when dealing with disaster areas as wide spread as this, we will find variations of a few homes as relief efforts move forward,” said Tschida. “Examples include when structures recorded as single family homes turn out to be duplexes, or when damage is inside the home and not readily visible from the outside of the dwelling.”
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
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