Ahead of additional weekend rainfall, Governor Walz has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor flooding in Southern and Central Minnesota

ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today traveled to the cities of Cook and Biwabik in Northeastern Minnesota to survey damage caused by severe flooding. As Southern and Central Minnesota are expected to experience flood conditions in the coming days, Governor Walz has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor conditions over the weekend. Parts of St. Louis County received seven to ten inches of rain and parts of Carlton, Crow Wing, Lake, and Itasca Counties received two to six inches. Photos of the Governor’s visit are available online .

“When it comes to Minnesota weather, we never know the hand we are going to be dealt. From last year’s summer drought and forest fires to the major flooding we are dealing with today, what remains consistent is the ability of our communities to come together in times of crisis,” said Governor Walz. “Here amidst the flooding, I am reminded of the strength and resilience of Minnesotans. Together we will build back, and the state stands ready to support.”

In downtown Cook, floodwaters measure several feet, impacting residences and businesses. More than 40 roads throughout the county have been washed out or flooded. In Biwabik, near Giants Ridge, several water line washouts have resulted in a boil water advisory and business closures in the area. This is the second-largest natural disaster that St. Louis County has seen in three decades.

In response, St. Louis County has declared a state of emergency. The declaration of local emergency allows the county to begin the process to establish eligibility to access state disaster relief funding if the damage does not reach the required threshold for a federal major disaster declaration.

State funding includes:

- TheDisaster Assistance Contingency Account which can be used to support local governments as they recover from a natural disaster. This funding is used to help repair damage to public infrastructure.

- The Transportation Disaster Account which can be used for local governments to help support damage to local highways.

Following a state preliminary damage assessment, if the damage exceeds the required threshold, the state may request a major disaster declaration from the President as well as assistance from the Small Business Association (SBA). The federal disaster declaration would unlock public assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Additional assessments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and SBA will determine eligibility for impacted residents and businesses to obtain individual assistance through FEMA or low interest loans through SBA. Once assessments are made, they will undergo an approval process for authorization.

Additional state supports for small businesses are available through the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Small Business Development Centers, such as technical assistance to help find grants or low interest loan solutions.