The Governor's Executive Council today extended Emergency Executive Orders 06-04 and 06-05 for 30 days. These orders were signed by the Governor on Friday and Monday in response to flooding in the Red River Valley.

The following is the text of the resolution passed by the Executive Council:

WHEREAS, a heavy snow pack, rapid melt, and rainfall have resulted in flooding in the Red River Valley and surrounding areas and near-record flooding has been forecast for multiple locations and communities; and

            WHEREAS, dangerous flooding conditions are likely to persist in the coming weeks and these conditions have created an imminent danger to persons and property along the Red River Valley and other communities including areas in Wilkin, Clay, Norman, Polk, Marshall, Kittson and Roseau Counties; and

            WHEREAS, the conditions present an immediate need to activate emergency resources to combat the flood conditions and the resources of the affected local and county governments are inadequate to meet the demands generated by the flooding conditions; and

            WHEREAS, in response to the flood conditions, the Governor declared a peacetime state of emergency, activated the State Emergency Operations Center, directed the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to implement the State Emergency Operation Plan, directed state agencies to provide necessary assistance in the affected areas (Executive Orders 06-04 and 06-05) and requested U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Operations Assistance for multiple affected communities; and

            WHEREAS, the Governor has also activated members of the Minnesota National Guard to provide personnel and equipment to support Minnesota's emergency operations and to support local relief efforts; and

            WHEREAS, the need for the state to provide emergency relief services will continue for more than 5 days and it is, therefore, necessary for the Executive Council to extend the state of emergency pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 2004, Section 12.31, Subdivision 2.

            RESOLVED, by the Executive Council of the State of Minnesota, at its meeting on April 5, 2006, that the peacetime emergency declared in Executive Orders 06-04 and 06-05 is extended for 30 days pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 12.31, Subdivision 2.