Six weeks later, Pimidji is still struggling after storms

For nearly six weeks have passed since a huge storm has fallen millions of trees in the Biltrami province and the surrounding area and caused widespread damage. Cleansing the debris tree continues. Recently, continuous cleaning and recovery efforts in the area have been delivered a large setback.

While the evaluation of the state’s damage came about $ 10 million, this did not meet the threshold of $ 10.7 million to receive relief funds from the FBI.

Now the city leaders and provinces are struggling with what to do next to the costs. The Bitramet province itself witnessed about $ 8 million as compensation.

Justin Sherwood, head of fire extinguishing in Bimidji and emergency director, said, although the window submitted to apply for federal relief is closed, he wants to explore more options.

"”We must talk about some appeals, and we may deal with our elected officials,” Sherwood said.

Sherwood said he was disappointed because of the amount of money agreed. He wondered how these numbers can be measured.

“Especially here in the north of Minnesota, in one of the poorest provinces in the state,” he said. “How to reach this design and how it works in black and white when I feel that this should really become a gray area, if you will."

Sherwood said in the last check in a Bildary Province, the poverty rate was 16 percent, while Pimidji was about 21 percent.

He said: “When you compare this to the rest of the state. It is astronomer. Thus, I will search for this help for these people and people throughout Minnesota to continue to defend us.” “Also pray for recovery here, and that Pimidji will one day return to a kind of new bases.”

But the way of recovery will not be easy. It is estimated that about 9 million trees in the province have been destroyed by storms.

Sherwood said: “When we lose a lot of this old growth wood, these red pine and white trees, as you know, in this society, are destroyed.” “It changes the scene, has worried and brought some concern about tourism here."

He added that many homes still have trees on them. Many need fabrics and new surfaces.

“But we go back to this poverty. How do they pay for that when they do not have insurance, or that their discounts are very high?” He said.

Sherwood said when adversity faces everything about the mentality of how things are shown.

He said: “Although this was a tragedy, we must find the opportunity here and upgrade the challenge, and in the end, we will be Bimidji is better.” “It will take some time.”