It’s been about six weeks since a massive storm felled millions of trees in Beltrami County and the surrounding area and caused widespread damage. Clearing of tree debris continues. Recently, continued cleanup and recovery efforts in the area were handed a major setback.
While damage assessment for the state came in around $10 million, that did not meet the $10.7 million threshold to receive relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Now city and county leaders are struggling with what to do next to cover costs. Beltrami County itself saw around $8 million in damages.
Justin Sherwood, the Bemidji fire chief and emergency manager, said even though the window to apply for federal relief is closed, he would like to explore more options.
"We have to talk about some appeals, and maybe get our elected officials involved,” Sherwood said, referencing US. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, as well as U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber.
Sherwood said he was disappointed by the dollar amount damage assessors agreed on. And he questioned how those numbers could be quantified.
“Especially here in Northern Minnesota, in one of the poorest counties in the state,” he said. “How do you come to that determination and how do you operate so black and white when I feel like this really has to become a gray area, if you will."
Sherwood said at last check Beltrami County had a 16 percent poverty rate, while Bemidji was roughly at 21 percent.
“When you compare that to the rest of the of the state. It's astronomical. And so, I would look for that assistance for those people and people around the state of Minnesota to continue to advocate for us,” he said. “Also pray for the recovery up here, and that someday Bemidji will be back to some type of new norm.”
But the road to recovery won’t be easy. It’s estimated that around 9 million trees in the county were also destroyed from storm damage.
“And when we lose a lot of that old growth timber, those red pines, white pines, you know, up in this community, it's devastating,” Sherwood said. “It changes the landscape, and it has worried and brought some concern about the tourism up here."
He added that many homes still have trees on them. Many need tarps and new roofs.
“But we go back to that poverty. How do they pay for it when they're when they don't have insurance, or their deductibles are extremely high?” he said.
Sherwood said when faced with adversity it’s all about mindset how things are viewed.
“While this was a tragedy, we have to find the opportunity here and rise to the challenge, and in the end, we'll be a better Bemidji,” he said. “It's just going to take some time.”
