Saint Paul – In a letter to President Obama, Governor Tim Pawlenty today requested an expedited disaster declaration for the State of Minnesota as a result of severe storms and flooding in Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties.

“The outpouring of community support I saw along the Red River this week should make every Minnesotan proud,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Our neighbors are battling the river and the state is working together with local partners to provide every available amount of assistance. Soon we’ll need federal support to help our communities recover from this flooding. I’m hopeful the federal government will grant our request promptly.”

When granted, a Major Disaster Declaration will make the region eligible for a range of federal disaster programs, including disaster unemployment assistance, individual and household assistance, small business disaster loans, crisis counseling, and low-interest loans for affected farmers.

In his letter, the Governor pointed to the deep snow pack and melting snow running off saturated and frozen ground that has resulted in a serious conditions in the Red River Valley. In addition, recent rainfall over the past several days has caused significant overland flooding throughout the Red River Basin in western Minnesota. Many roadways remain under water along with widespread ponding water as the ground remains saturated and frozen. Significant ice jams have occurred on the Red Lake River near Crookston, which resulted in a flash flood warning and voluntary evacuation of residents in low-lying areas. Other ice jams are possible throughout the Red River Valley as significant river flows continue to break up the ice.

On March 20, Governor Pawlenty declared a State of Emergency for seven Minnesota counties as they prepared for serious flooding. His executive order activated the National Guard to assist in flood preparations and directed the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to activate the Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan.

The Governor also announced today that the Minnesota Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is fully operational. Nearly 30 state, federal and volunteer agencies are represented in the EOC to coordinate the response to flooding in northwestern Minnesota.

State agency activity includes:

• Governor Pawlenty activated the Minnesota National Guard on March 20. Currently 388 Minnesota National Guard soldiers have been deployed in the region:

o 290 in Clay County

o 50 in Norman County

o 45 in Wilkin County, with the mission to wrap-up on Saturday and those soldiers available to be redeployed elsewhere in the region.

In addition the Guard has a UH60 Blackhawk helicopter with a crew of 5 on standby to support rescue missions and a joint communications platform is now stationed in Moorhead. The Guard is also ready to supply Clay County with their request for 20 large-scale generators, if needed.

• The Minnesota State Patrol has two aircraft (fixed wing and helicopter) in the area to respond to any local requests for assistance. In addition, 55 troopers are assisting local sheriff departments in 9 counties.

• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has 20 conservation officers deployed in the region to assist local officials conduct water missions, including water rescue using airboats, flat bottom boats and jet boats.

• The Minnesota Department of Agriculture grain, feed, dairy, food, pesticide and fertilizer inspectors are contacting farmers, grain elevators, grocery stores, convenience stores and ag chemical facilities to determine what level of threat they have and if they need assistance.

• The Minnesota Department of Health is sending two mobile medical units to be used as temporary hospital facilities, if needed. MDH also has four preparedness staff, eight environmental health professionals, and six well water program inspectors in the region. MDH coordinators are meeting with county health officials and emergency managers regarding evacuation planning for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and group homes. About 300 people would be affected if evacuation is necessary.

• Minnesota Department of Transportation crews are diking 1500 feet of I-94 north of Moorhead in an attempt to keep the freeway from flooding.