United Way of Bemidji asks June storm survivors to complete recovery form

United Way of the Bemidji Area is asking Beltrami County residents affected by the June 2025 storm to complete an online recovery assistance form so the organization can gauge unmet needs and coordinate long-term help. The form collects contact information and descriptions of needed repairs, and United Way staff will follow up with applicants to connect them to services such as roof repair, home repair, and insurance navigation.

Residents can access the form at unitedwaybemidji.org/disaster-recovery by clicking the blue "Get Help" button. Applicants should have basic contact details and clear descriptions of damage and needed repairs ready before they begin. Those who cannot complete the form online may email Megan at megan@unitedwaybemidji.org or call (218) 444-8929 for assistance.

The push for completed forms is a data-driven effort to map remaining recovery needs across Bemidji and surrounding townships. Accurate intake information helps United Way and partner organizations prioritize limited resources, match households with contractors and case managers, and identify where gaps in insurance coverage or public assistance exist. Local partners involved in long-term recovery include Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Community Resource Connections, the Bemidji Fire Department, Beltrami County Human Services and Health, Headwaters Regional Development Commission, Sanford Health, and Justice North.

For homeowners and renters, timely registration matters because it shapes how agencies allocate volunteer labor, grant funding, and case-management time. Locally, demand for home-repair contractors and building supplies can push up wait times and prices; having a coordinated list of needs enables United Way and partners to target assistance to the most vulnerable households and to negotiate group purchases or prioritized contractor schedules when possible.

The situation also highlights the interface between private insurance and public or nonprofit aid. Households that face gaps in insurance coverage often require navigation support to file claims, document damage, and pursue supplemental funding sources. United Way’s collection of intake data will make those patterns visible to Beltrami County HHS and regional funders, which can inform requests for state or federal disaster-relief dollars and shape local policy responses to future storms.

Longer term, storm recovery in Beltrami County will influence housing stability and local construction markets. Concentrated repair needs can stimulate short-term employment for local contractors but also strain supply chains for materials. Coordinated recovery planning can reduce duplication of effort and improve outcomes for households whose repairs are critical for health and safety.

Completing the recovery form is the immediate step residents can take to make their needs count in that planning. United Way’s follow-up will determine next actions, from referrals to on-the-ground repairs to case-management support, and will shape how local partners deploy resources in the months ahead.