ST. PAUL, MN - As the state transitions from emergency response to damage assessment and recovery, Governor Tim Walz today joined Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Administrator Tom Sivak to provide an update on the state’s current flood outlook and ongoing emergency response. Over 40 counties throughout the state have been impacted by flooding, which has disrupted agriculture and damaged roads, businesses, homes, and property.

“As we begin to get a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, we’re turning over every rock to coordinate and fund the state’s recovery,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful for our partnership with FEMA officials - we’re working in lockstep to get impacted communities the resources they need to start the long journey toward recovery and rebuilding.”

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Homeland Security and Emergency Management division is working directly with local, county, state, and FEMA officials on the ground to assess damage and provide state assistance where needed.

The state has assisted local communities with emergency flood operations and will continue to assist as Minnesota transitions from a focus on response to recovery and rebuilding:

- Last weekend, Governor Walz issued a peacetime emergency and activated the Minnesota National Guard to assist with local emergency flood operations. The Executive Council has extended the peacetime emergency for an additional 30 days.

- Last Friday, Governor Walz traveled to the cities of Cook and Biwabik in Northeastern Minnesota where floodwaters damaged residences and businesses and washed out dozens of roads.

- The Minnesota All-Hazards Incident Management Team, a pre-identified group of emergency responders from across the state, is assisting Jackson County with incident management.

- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has provided 175,000 sandbags and multiple water pumps to protect critical infrastructure in Rice, Le Sueur, Jackson, Rock, St. Louis, and Blue Earth County.

- The Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters group has established shelters in Cook and Faribault, debris removal assistance and a 211 hotline to connect community members with volunteer resources.

- The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s State Fire Marshall division coordinated five firefighters from Luverne and Minneapolis to assist the Jackson Fire Department with two boats on standby for swift water rescue.

- USACE and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are working with local governments on critical infrastructure surveys and assessments, including flood modeling.

- On Tuesday, Governor Walz, United States Senator Amy Klobuchar, and public safety and emergency management staff took an aerial tour to survey the full extent of damages in Henderson, Le Sueur, the Rapidan Dam, and Waterville.

- Based on preliminary damage assessments, Governor Walz sent a letter this week to the President requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration. If granted, the federal disaster declaration would provide much-needed resources to reimburse communities for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repair and replacement of damaged infrastructure.