SE Minnesota Counties Included in Federal Disaster Declaration

Washington, DC (KROC-AM News) - The Biden Administration today approved a Major Disaster Declaration for portions of Minnesota due to the recent severe weather and flooding.

The White House says the declaration frees up federal disaster assistance to state, tribal, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis. The federal money is available for repairing or replacing facilities damaged by the storms and floods that began on June 16.

The declaration currently covers 22 Minnesota counties, but officials say the damage assessment process is continuing and more counties could be added. The counties currently on the list include Wabasha, Fillmore, Goodhue, Freeborn, Steele, Rice, and Waseca Counties.

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The other counties listed are Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lake, LeSueur, Marie, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock, St. Louis, and Watonwan Counties.

The Major Disaster Declaration request that was submitted by Governor Tim Walz covered a total of 42 counties.

Meanwhile, the US Army Corp of Engineers has closed Lock and Dam 3 on the Mississippi River just upstream of Red Wing. The closure was ordered due to the high river flow and will remain in effect until further notice. The Corps of Engineers says the flow rate at the Lock and Dam is currently over 125,000 cubic feet per second.

The National Weather Service says the Mississippi River at Red Wing is currently forecast to crest just below major flood stage on Monday. The river is also expected to plateau on Monday at Lake City at around 17 1/2 feet, which is just below the moderate flood stage.

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