Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today issued an emergency executive order declaring a state of emergency in the northwestern Minnesota counties affected by the severe winter storm of November 27-29, 2005.  The storm inflicted widespread and extensive damage to the public infrastructure, as well as to homes and farms in the counties of Big Stone, Clay, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine.

The Governor's order directs the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other state and federal agencies, to determine the need for supplementary disaster aid and to coordinate the provision of any such assistance.

The following is the text of the Governor's official order:

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER 05-21

DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in my by the Constitution and the applicable statutes, do hereby issue this Executive Order.

WHEREAS, during the period of November 27-29, 2005, a severe winter storm with high winds, freezing rain, and heavy, wet snow swept across western Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, these storms have inflicted widespread and extensive damage to the public infrastructure including private, non-profit electric cooperatives, as well as to homes and farms; and

WHEREAS, as a result, there is a threat to public safety in the counties of Big Stone, Clay, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine; and 

WHEREAS, the resources of the affected local governments and private relief agencies are being fully utilized to respond to the emergency; and

WHEREAS, these resources are inadequate to deal with the exigency of the situation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order that:

A State of Emergency exists in the State of Minnesota and do direct the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other state and federal agencies, to determine the need for supplementary disaster aid and to coordinate the provision of any such assistance as necessary under existing state and federal authority.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2004, Section 4.035, subd. 2, this Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota law.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 9th day of December, 2005.