Minnesota Seeks Federal Aid for September Floods

Lawmakers ask President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance after flooding across southern Minnesota.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Natural Disasters

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a swollen river spreading across a flat agricultural plain under a grey sky, with a distant bluff. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz asked President Trump to approve federal Individual Assistance for four southern counties hit by September 18-20 flooding, including New Richland evacuations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the federal government quickly approve disaster aid for flood-damaged Minnesota communities?

Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Rep. Brad Finstad have asked President Trump to approve Minnesota's request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance. Gov. Tim Walz's request covers September 18-20 flooding in Fillmore, Houston, Steele and Waseca Counties.

Why it matters

The request seeks federal help for households and communities hit by a flood assessed as at least as destructive as the July 2026 mega-rain that residents had only recently begun to recover from. Approval would open individual assistance to affected families in the four counties.

Rainfall of 6 inches or more fell across about 700 square miles of southern and southeastern Minnesota within 24 hours, with New Richland receiving about 9 inches during the September 19 flood. Whether the federal declaration will be approved remains undecided.

The players

Tina Smith

Tina Smith is a Democratic U.S. senator from Minnesota who co-signed the letter asking President Trump to approve the disaster declaration.

Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar is a Democratic U.S. senator from Minnesota who co-signed the letter asking President Trump to approve the disaster declaration.

Brad Finstad

Brad Finstad is a Republican U.S. representative from Minnesota who joined the letter requesting the federal disaster declaration.

Tim Walz

Tim Walz is the governor of Minnesota whose request to the federal government seeks individual assistance for flood-affected counties.

The details

The flood forced evacuations in New Richland, where residents of a skilled nursing facility were moved out and have not been able to return. The Waseca County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency after the flood.

July 2026: A mega-rain event hits communities that were still recovering when the September flood struck.
September 18-20, 2026: Period covered by Gov. Walz's disaster assistance request.
September 19, 2026: New Richland floods, forcing evacuations.
October 2026: Minnesota Realtors and the REALTORS Relief Foundation announce a $70,000 grant for New Richland flood victims.
November 3, 2026: Legislators send a letter to President Trump requesting approval of the disaster declaration.

Seasonal Patterns

The September flood is assessed as at least as destructive as the July 2026 mega-rain, which hit the same communities months earlier. That makes the request for federal assistance a second major disaster declaration in a single year for many residents.

Residents of Fillmore, Houston, Steele and Waseca Counties should watch for a federal decision on individual assistance. Households affected by the September flooding can check with local county officials for guidance on available aid.

The takeaway

Repeated flooding in the same communities within a few months strains recovery resources, so early federal decisions matter for families still rebuilding. Affected residents should track county announcements for assistance details.