HSEM Partners with Counties to Watch Rising Waters

HSEM is supporting more than a dozen southwest Minnesota counties after widespread rain led to rising rivers and streams. Staff will be monitoring conditions as they stay in touch with emergency managers. HSEM has not received any requests for state resources, but is ready should the need arise. Several counties have reported damages and are preparing to declare a state of emergency. Some of the counties impacted are:

• Cottonwood: Sandbagging around homes. Roads flooded.
• Murray: Roads and highways washed out and closed.
• Nobles: Washed out culverts and roads.
• Rock: Flooded roads closed. One water rescue.
• Sibley: Possible closures at County Road 6, Highway 19 and Highway 93.

HSEM’s regional coordinators are working with local emergency managers to assess damages and determine response plans as many rivers face Flood Warnings. In addition, the Twin Cities National Weather Service is anticipating another 1-2 inches with the next storm system—which could concentrate itself along the Interstate 90 corridor and south. Remember, if you approach a water-covered road, “Turn around, don’t drown!”

 

Minnesota DNR Firefighters Heading to Hawaii

Governor Mark Dayton has approved the deployment of two Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildland firefighters to Hawaii. The duo will serve as division group supervisors and oversee daily response operations to ongoing volcanic activity. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) deployment will provide additional relief for ongoing emergency response efforts in Hawaii. EMAC is a mutual aid agreement among all states and territories to assist each other in emergencies and times of recovery.

The Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division coordinates EMAC requests. In addition to this EMAC deployment, Minnesota currently has a team of Minneapolis building inspectors helping with hurricane relief efforts in the Virgin Islands. Read Gov. Dayton’s news release here.

 

Reaching Out During Flooding

​When severe weather strikes, Minnesota’s county emergency managers take action to protect public property and the lives of the people who live in their communities. That’s what is taking place along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border after a dam broke and triggered flood warnings along the St. Croix River.

While Wisconsin has declared a state of emergency, there are no requests for state assistance at this time in Minnesota. HSEM is in regular contact with Pine County officials who are monitoring the town of Markville. They are also watching water levels along Highway 48, which closed due to the flooding.

Drivers should pay attention to detours and closures. Check conditions on Minnesota 511. And remember, "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"

(Photo courtesy: Pine County Sheriff's Office)

Minneapolis Building Inspector Teams Deploying to Virgin Islands

Eleven building inspectors from Minneapolis are deploying to the U.S. Virgin Islands under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Over the next six weeks, the teams will help with reconstruction efforts following Hurricanes Maria and Irma on the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. The City of Minneapolis personnel who volunteered for this mission will perform the following tasks:

• Residential and commercial plan review of all trades.
• Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and flood inspections.

EMAC is a mutual aid agreement among all states and territories to assist each other in emergencies and times of recovery.  The Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division coordinates EMAC requests. Read about previous EMAC deployments following last year’s hurricanes.