Gov. Walz Declares State Disasters in Six Counties

Six counties are now eligible to receive state disaster assistance following two separate severe weather incidents this year.

Gov. Walz authorized the funds for Murray, Pipestone, Rock and Traverse counties for $620,000 in damages caused by thunderstorms, heavy rain and flooding between Sept. 10-15.

Dakota and Pope counties will also receive disaster aid for $1.6 million in damages caused by spring flooding during March 12-April 28. Dakota and Pope counties were originally included in Minnesota’s presidential disaster declaration for that incident, but FEMA denied the two counties’ request because it was submitted outside a required 30 day reporting period.

The counties will be reimbursed for response, repair and recovery costs related to the two severe weather incidents. The state will cover 75 percent of the total amount, with local governments covering the remaining 25 percent. Learn more about the state disaster declaration process.

Read Gov. Walz's news release on the state disaster declarations.

Religious Organizations and Non-profits Learn About Security Grants

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Minnesota’s religious and non-profit organizations are placing a greater emphasis on security as they work to keep people safe. That’s why representatives from all backgrounds recently gathered to learn about federal and state grants that would help them step up their security practices. HSEM and DPS leaders met with Muslim, Jewish and Christian-affiliated leaders to listen to their security concerns, review security trends, and answer questions about grant funding opportunities.

HSEM oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Non-Profit Security Grant (NPSG) Program. The funding provides support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations that are at high risk of attack.
Learn more about HSEM grant programs.

Wet Year in Minnesota Drowns Crops

​Minnesota has seen a historic wet year—starting with spring flooding followed by a rainy summer. All that water means farms are still under water or too wet to harvest, especially in the Red River Valley in northwest Minnesota.

The ongoing problem is why HSEM Director Joe Kelly recently joined Gov. Tim Walz for a roundtable with farmers. With rivers, streams and lakes still running high, flood concerns could continue through next spring, depending on how much snow the state sees this winter.

Read more about the harvest woes and how the state is working to alleviate the issue.

Working Across State Lines to Keep Schools Safe

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The Minnesota School Safety Center (MnSSC) recently learned how educators and law enforcement are working together in Clay County, Minnesota and Cass County, North Dakota to keep schools safe. Representatives from the two counties highlighted their unified school response program, which allows them to streamline emergency planning and support each other with response procedures during a bad day.

The interstate collaboration is an example of how communities work together to keep students safe; before, during and after an emergency. Read the latest MnSSC newsletter.