CONGRESSMAN
COLLIN C. PETERSON
Minnesota - 7th District http://www.house.gov/collinpeterson/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2002
CONTACT: Rob Larew 202-225-2165
Congressman
Peterson Calls for Flood Recovery Volunteers
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congressman Collin C.
Peterson (DFL 7th District) joined local officials, including Mayor
Jeff Polowski, today to issue an area wide call for volunteers.
Help is needed in Roseau and Lake of the Woods County and surrounding
rural areas to help residents begin recovery clean-up from the disastrous floods
of the past week.
"People have fought the flood day and
night," said Peterson, "and they are exhausted.
Now, faced with the task of cleaning up they could really use the help.
In some areas, the water is still rising and sand bagging continues.
There is plenty of work to do"
President Bush declared thirteen counties in
Peterson's congressional district a federal disaster area in response to
flooding caused by torrential rains. For
example, Roseau officials have estimated that over ninety-five percent of the
city's homes and buildings have flood damage.
"Anyone with the time and ability to come
to Roseau and northwestern Minnesota would find plenty that he or she could help
with," said Peterson. "Recovery
is going to take some time, but the area needs a hand getting back on its feet
first."
Volunteers can call the Roseau Area Volunteer Effort at (218) 463-0940 or (218) 463-3373 or simply go the volunteer staging area at the wayside rest stop west of Roseau on Highway 11. Volunteers for Lake of the Woods county should call the flood center at (218) 634-0050.
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