Governor Mark Dayton has declared a state of emergency in 36 Minnesota counties plus the Red Lake Nation, which could pave the way for a request for a federal disaster declaration. The governor says in his order that “a persistent weather pattern has repeatedly generated a series of severe summer storms producing torrential rains, flash flooding, high winds and tornadoes across Minnesota.” Dayton’s order directs a number of state agencies to continue providing assistance to affected communities.
Included in the order are: Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Jackson, Kittson, Lake, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, St. Louis, Waseca, and Watonwan counties, and the Red Lake Nation.