Beltrami County declares State of Emergency after powerful storms damage area

Beltrami County has declared a State of Emergency after severe storms, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes tore through the area early Saturday morning.

County Board Chair Craig Gaasvig made the declaration, saying while the damage to homes, businesses, churches, and other property is significant, officials are thankful there have been no reports of injuries or deaths.

Emergency crews, utility companies, and mutual aid partners are continuing cleanup and recovery efforts.

Gaasvig said a wide range of agencies and community members have stepped in to help, from neighbors assisting those with fewer resources to electric crews coming in from outside the area.

Emergency management officials urge residents to report any damage and to use caution around downed power lines and debris.

Shortly after 12:00am Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for southern Beltrami County, including the City of Bemidji. Outdoor warning sirens were activated and CodeRED notifications were sent.

Around 12:55 a.m., a 106 mph wind gust was recorded at the Bemidji Regional Airport.

Officials say the storm brought torrential rain and flash flooding in downtown Bemidji, stalling vehicles and flooding streets. Thousands of trees were downed across southern and southeastern parts of the county, blocking roads and leaving widespread power outages.

Officials are warning residents to prepare for extended outages due to infrastructure damage. Travel is discouraged as crews work to clear debris and restore utilities.

Displaced residents can seek shelter and assistance at the Sanford Convention Center, located at 1111 Event Center Drive NE. Services are being provided by the Red Cross, Salvation Army, the City of Bemidji, and Beltrami County.

The Beltrami County Emergency Operations Center is activated, and the county is working with state emergency officials and the National Weather Service on damage assessments.

Due to high call volumes, residents are asked to delay non-emergency calls to dispatch until the situation stabilizes.