ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Mark Dayton has declared a state of emergency in 26 counties after storms and flash flooding last month.
The executive order, which covers a quarter of the state, is part of the process that will allow the state to call for federal disaster assistance in the areas hit hardest by the storms between June 20 and June 26.
Minnesota officials have already asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct damage assessments. The federal government will not step in until the cost of cleanup tops $7.26 million. State officials expect cleanup costs to top that figure.
The counties include Aitkin, Benton, Big Stone, Carver, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Hennepin, Houston, Kandiyhoi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Pope, Renville, Ramsey, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Winona and Wright.
