Mayor of Hector challenges other mayors to help rebuild Roseau

HECTOR (AP) -- The mayor of the west-central Minnesota community of Hector has called on other mayors in his region to help the northwestern city of Roseau recover from last summer's flood.

Roger Amundson is one of 12 volunteers from Hector who planned to spend this week in Roseau to help rebuild flood-damaged homes.

"The mayor of Hector would like to challenge other mayors to do something similar to help," he said.

The 12 men -- comprised of some former carpenters, retirees and farmers -- left Sunday for Roseau, which was flooded June 11 when heavy rains sent the Roseau River above its banks. The flood caused about $100 million in damage.

"They're in tough shape," said Amundson, explaining that there are still 70 to 80 families who are living in trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The congregations of Hector's churches donated money to help defray the traveling and housing costs for volunteers.