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Published June 23, 2012, 04:55 AM

Roundup of key phone numbers, websites, sources of help in wake of flooding

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 unitedwayduluth.org and click on “get help.”

People interested in volunteering to help with flood cleanup 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 because of closed or impassable roads may pick up their mail at the Duluth main post office or the Mount 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 Mount Royal Station, 2800 Mount 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.

Reporting damage

Minnesota residents with storm damage should report it immediately to their county emergency managers:

  • Aitkin, (218) 927-7436

  • Carlton, (218) 384-9518

  • Cook, (218) 387-3059

  • Duluth (city), (218) 730-4357

  • Lake, (218) 226-4444

  • Pine, (320) 629-8385

  • St. Louis, (218) 625-3966

  • Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe, (218) 878-7502

    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 Monday.

    The facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Sunday and Monday.

    The following items will be accepted free of charge. Be sure to separate loads by category:

  • Electronics: TVs, VCR/DVD players, computer components, etc.

  • Appliances: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, water heaters, stoves (remove and dispose of spoiled food in your household trash service)

  • Vegetative debris: Sticks, stumps, branches

  • Household hazardous waste: Paints, stains, chemicals, pesticides

  • Mixed waste (bulky items): Carpet, padding, furniture, drywall and other damaged materials

    Local waste haulers can also be contracted for a fee to pick up material from residential customers.

    Carlton County property assessments

    Carlton County needs to inspect and reassess all properties damaged in this week’s flooding, said Carlton County Assessor Marci Moreland. 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 because of 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.

    Flood-related 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 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.

    Disaster resources from U of M Extension

    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.

    Other disaster resources

  • Extension: The best resources from the Cooperative Extension System across the country. Search for disaster resources including agriculture disaster preparedness, flood, wildfire and others; www.extension.org/

  • American Red Cross: Helps prepare communities for emergencies and keep people safe; www.redcross.org

  • Catholic Charities: Disaster preparedness, response, relief and recovery services, including emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and support; www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or (800) 919-9338

  • DisasterAssistance.gov: Help from U.S. government before/ during/after a disaster; www.disasterassistance.gov

  • Extension Disaster Education Network: Educational resources to reduce impact of natural and man-made disasters; www.extension.org/pages/Extension_Disaster_Education_Network_Community_Page

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): May provide assistance and tax relief to residents of a county declared a natural disaster by the president; www.fema.gov or (800) 621-FEMA (3362)

  • Lutheran Social Service: Works with Lutheran Disaster Response to help disaster survivors and their caregivers; www.lssmn.org/disaster/ or (800) 582-5260

  • Minnesota Attorney General’s Office: Disaster Information publication; www.ag.state.mn.us/Brochures/pubDisasterInformation.pdf

  • Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Information on assistance programs for disaster victims/ communities, volunteer coordination and animals in disaster; www.hsem.state.mn.us or (651) 201-7400

  • Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters: The association of voluntary agencies and their partners involved in disaster response, recovery and preparedness; www.mnvoad.org

  • National Disaster Legal Aid: For low/moderate income individuals; www.disasterlegalaid.org

  • Salvation Army: Assistance and resources during a disaster; Consult local phone book or www.salvationarmy.org

  • Small Business Administration: Low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations to repair/ replace property damaged/destroyed in a declared disaster; www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/

  • United Methodist Committee on Relief: Provides immediate relief and long-term recovery; http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/emergencies/ or (212) 870-3951

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