Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today signed Executive Order 08-09 declaring a State of Emergency for Washington County after he surveyed the damage there from a severe storm that ripped through the area with hail, high winds and a likely tornado on Sunday evening.

The following is the text of the Governor’s emergency executive order:

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the applicable statutes, including Minnesota Statutes 2006, Chapter 12, do hereby issue this Executive Order:

WHEREAS, the storm moved through residential neighborhoods and resulted in severe injuries, loss of life, and damages to personal property and public infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, in the city of Hugo approximately 40 to 50 homes were destroyed and more than 150 to 200 homes sustained damage; and

WHEREAS, the city of Hugo has declared an emergency; and

WHEREAS, the resources of local, county and state governments must be fully utilized to insure immediate response and recovery assistance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order that:

1. A State of Emergency pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 12.31 exists in Washington County.

2. The damage is significant and additional counties may be added to the declaration as local governments have an opportunity to further assess damage from the storm

3. The Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is to continue the activation of the Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan to provide state assistance to the affected local governments. .

4. All state agencies, in cooperation with appropriate federal agencies are directed to provide the assistance necessary to help local units of government respond to and recover from this emergency.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 4.035, Subdivision 2, this Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until the emergency status no longer requires emergency response.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 26th day of May, 2008.