The storm that ripped across a broad swath of Minnesota on July 1 has triggered a disaster declaration issued Saturday by Gov. Mark Dayton.
Under the order, the state's Homeland Security and Emergency Management agency will continue to operate support and assistance to the affected local governments in 16 counties and determine the need for additional disaster aid.
Dayton directed that state agencies will provide necessary assistance to local units of government responding to the aftermath of the storm.
Included in the emergency declaration are the counties of Anoka, Brown, Isanti, Kanabec, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Pine, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Stearns, Wright, and Yellow Medicine.
St. Croix State Park, in Pine County, was devastated by the storm.
Although much of state government is shut down, the Homeland Security agency has been deemed a critical service that continues to operate.
BOB VON STERNBERG
