FEMA inspectors begin storm damage assessment Thursday

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in north Minneapolis Thursday and Friday to size up the damage from Sunday's tornado.

FEMA inspectors will join city and state officials as they gauge the scope of damage to homes and public infrastructure.

Kris Eide, Minnesota's director of homeland security and emergency management, says this is a necessary step to determine whether individuals can qualify for federal aid.

"We'd like to be able to get to as many homes as we can during that time, to be as thorough as we can, to make sure we tell a compelling story to the president so they can understand the deep needs that are in this area," Eide said.

Mayor R.T. Rybak is asking property owners and families affected by the storm to be as upfront as possible with the inspection teams.

"People in north Minneapolis have gone through a lot. And as somebody approaches their door, it's understandable they may hold back a bit. But the reality is, for us to do our job right, for us to get dollars into this community, we need people to be very, very direct and honest with every single issue they see," said Rybak.

Officials would have to document at least $6.4 million in damage to uninsured public property, in order for the assistance to be available. Preliminary estimates from the city put the total damage at $166 million, but that figure includes private property.

If Minneapolis secures a federal disaster designation, homeowners could receive up to $29,000 each. Renters are also eligible for some of that money, which can be used to help cover the costs of temporary housing or property destroyed in the storm.

It's not clear when the money would become available.