ST. PAUL -- Floodwaters continue to rise in many southern Minnesota communities as state policymakers work on plans to pay for flood relief.
Federal emergency personnel arrived in Minnesota on Monday to begin determining how much money Washington will send, with state leaders preparing to pick up remaining costs.
"The various layers of government need to stand together," Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Monday while announcing that he will call a special legislative session, to last no more than a day, for sometime between Oct. 7 and 12.
This week's Federal Emergency Management Agency study of the flooded areas will result in a damage estimate. If it exceeds $6.4 million, as state officials expect, Pawlenty will ask President Obama to issue a presidential disaster declaration to authorize federal spending.
The special legislative session will follow the initial federal damage assessment to authorize spending to repair damage. Much of the early federal money will go to repair roads and water and sewer systems.
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Even if Obama declares an emergency, federal money for individuals affected by the floods might not flow into Minnesota. And it will be harvest time or later before it is known whether farmers will receive federal aid.
Pawlenty has declared most southern Minnesota counties disaster areas.
The state Executive Council, composed of Minnesota's statewide elected officials, on Monday approved extending Pawlenty's weeklong emergency declaration for 30 more days, giving state agencies authority to share manpower and equipment with affected communities.
Pawlenty said the state is expected to have $235 million available by the end of the budget cycle next June 30, and any state flood costs should be less than that.
While the governor called flooding "a major challenge for southern Minnesota," he had no estimate of damage and officials would not say how damage compares to other recent Minnesota floods.
"These communities will be rebuilt," Pawlenty promised.
Part of the reason state officials had few answers for what eventually will be needed is that rivers continue to rise in some places around the Twin Cities, such as Hastings and St. Paul, and they do not know how much damage will occur.
Rain of up to a foot caused rapid river rises last week, and the water still is flowing downriver. Some roads in areas first hit by flooding are beginning to reopen, but others downstream now are closing as water inches over them.
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Much remains to be decided, such as how much state cash flood efforts will need and how much money can be borrowed.
Pawlenty and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, both said, "We stand united."
House Majority leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, said flood damage needs to be repaired soon, before winter sets in, so an early special session is a necessity.
Sertich said he expects legislative committees to hold meetings days or hours before the short special session to gather public input. Pawlenty said he expects to agree on a flood-relief package before the session convenes.
Don Davis reports for Forum Communications Co.
