Gov. Walz declares peacetime emergency, directs additional funds for storm recovery in Beltrami County
(Courtesy of the Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan)
Governor Tim Walz signed an emergency executive order on Friday, June 27 that declares a peacetime emergency in Beltrami County and provides recovery assistance following the severe storm on June 21. The executive order is effective immediately.
The storm hit the county with windspeeds that topped 120 mph and displaced approximately one hundred people, damaged many buildings, knocked out power for thousands of people, caused gas leaks, and downed hundreds of thousands of trees.
In terms of relief, the order states the following:
- HSEM will continue to support the coordination of onsite resources and assistance to affected local governments and determine the need for supplemental emergency assistance.
- All relevant state agencies will provide the assistance necessary to help local units of government respond to and recover from this emergency.
“Minnesota will deploy every available resource to aid communities throughout Beltrami County as they recover from storms that brought hurricane-force winds, devastated infrastructure, and left thousands without power,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful for the tireless work and rapid response from emergency management officials, first responders, and community members. Together we will rebuild and heal.”
On Thursday, June 26, Beltrami County had requested additional state resources to assist with the emergency. The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners declared a local state of emergency on June 23.
Governor Walz visited Bemidji earlier in the week to survey the damage first hand.