Minnesota

Minnesota family warns others as flood insurance unexpectedly dropped, commerce department investigating

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2024

Minnesota family warns others as flood insurance unexpectedly dropped

While many Minnesotan families continue to recover from this summer’s historic flooding, for one Waterville family, their frustrations go further than cleaning up.

The Zimmer family cabin sits on the shore of Tetonka Lake, where the Cannon River flows through and in late June, the lake swallowed their yard and then their cabin.

“You wake up worrying about it. Go to bed worrying about it,” Jim Zimmer said about his situation.

There was a moment of relief for Zimmer – he says it was when he saw how significant the flooding was and thought about his flood insurance likely being able to cover the costs. As he started reaching out, to his surprise, he learned his flood coverage was dropped.

“We have to have [flood] insurance because we’re in a floodplain. So, they take it out of our mortgage,” Zimmer said about the many years of having the coverage.

Now, though, he says the bank and insurance company are blaming each other.

“I paid my bill. Those guys mess it up between the two of them, but I’m the one stuck with the bill,” Zimmer added about the cost of the damage he says could cost $80,000.

Zimmer says the next step is finding a lawyer with plans to sue both his bank and insurance agency. He has filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Commerce – Zimmer says the state agency told him it’s still investigating his case.

According to the commerce department, the number of complaints more than doubled in 2023 compared to 2020.

“In the last three years, we’ve been able to get Minnesotans $10 million back from insurance companies,” Grace Arnold, commissioner of the Department of Commerce, said.

“It’s never pleasant to think about bad things that can happen. But being prepared is really important,” Commissioner Arnold said about the importance of having proper insurance.

But just as important as having it is understanding the coverage too, Arnold adds.

“Ask many times, ask in different ways,” she suggests about contacting your insurance company.

You can file a complaint with the commerce department here.

As Zimmer reflects, he says an unexpected check from the bank should have been a red flag and feels things would have worked out better if he had reached out then.

“If it says overpayment, it’s not an overpayment… something’s up, give your bank a call,” Zimmer said.

Source link

Related Topics:Ben Henry Featured flooding Minnesota Department of Commerce Waterville

Click to comment

Minnesota

Iran conflict: 250 Minnesota National Guard member serving in Middle East

Published

11 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran conflict: 250 Minnesota National Guard member serving in Middle East

(FOX 9) – The Minnesota National Guard tells FOX 9 there are currently 250 guard members on regularly scheduled deployment at the United States Central Command areas of responsibility as the United States leads strikes in Iran.

Guardsman in Middle East

What we know:

The Minnesota National Guard says the deployed airmen and soldiers are serving from Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing, the Marshall-based 1-151 Artillery, and the Stillwater-based 34th Military Police Company.

What they’re saying:

“While their missions and duty locations vary, all are grateful for the strong support of those back home,” writes Army Maj. Andrea Tsuchiya, State Public Affairs Officer for the Minnesota National Guard.

What we don’t know:

The guard did not disclose the exact bases or countries where the soldiers and airmen are serving.

CENTCOM covers 21 countries including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Pres. Trump says Iran operations likely to last 4 to 5 weeks

Big picture view:

In his first public remarks since the launch of the attack on Iran, President Trump said he expected operations to last four to five weeks, but he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”

The president also laid out his objective for the mission: to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, to “annihilate” their navy, to ensure the country doesn’t obtain a nuclear weapon and that the regime “cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”

WorldMinnesotaPolitics

Source link

Minnesota

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Published

23 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Iranians in Minnesota react to Khamenei death

Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei. While many Iranian-Americans expressed hope for regime change, anti-war protesters also took to the streets to condemn the military strikes, with some members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation calling the operation “unlawful” and “illegal.”

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East. Anti-war protesters also took the streets of Minneapolis Saturday.

Plus, Jewish communities say they are on high alert over concerns of potential retaliatory acts in major cities across the U.S.

‘Massive moment’

What we know:

Following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation in Iran, Khamenei was killed in an attack, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday.

What they’re saying:

Iranian community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street on Sunday to express hope for regime change.

Dozens of Iranian-Americans said they are celebrating the news.

“We are here to support Iranian people. Today, everybody is happy, very happy,” said Beheshteh Zargaran, an Iranian-American.

“Killed Khamenei, which was the supreme leader, and hopefully they will continue this action and help Iranians finally topple the Islamic regime,” said Faraz Samavat, an Iranian-American.

“That means a lot. We are fighting for almost half a century to destroy this cruel regime against people of Iran,” said Ali Mohammad, an Iranian-American.

Iranians in MN celebrate strikes by Pres. Trump

Iranians in the Twin Cities are gathering in downtown Minneapolis to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation. Community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street to express hope for regime change after news that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was killed in Saturday’s airstrikes.

The other side:

Protesters also took to the streets in the Twin Cities over the weekend condemning the strikes.

Some people are criticizing the military operation including members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation. Congresswoman Betty McCollum called the strikes “unlawful” and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called the war “illegal and unjustified.”

Heightened security:

Jewish communities in Minnesota say they are also on high alert following security guidance across the country to prevent potential retaliatory violence.

“A heightened sense of vigilance making sure that everybody is aware of their surroundings and that all of the protective measures are in place,” said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

There are currently no known specific threats against local Jewish communities.

WorldDonald J. TrumpPoliticsMinneapolisReligion

Source link

Minnesota

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

article

Storm reports in from Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 28.

LANESBORO, Minn. (FOX 9) – Impressive snow totals were reported in parts of Minnesota after a narrow band of heavy snowfall worked its way across the state.