Severe winter storm with heavy winds, snow, and flooding caused significant damage to local infrastructure beginning April through May 2018 

ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today authorized the use of funds from the State Disaster Assistance Contingency Account for emergency relief in Nobles County, Rock County, and St. Louis County. Certain areas of each county experienced significant damage to public properties caused by a major winter storm with heavy snow and gale force winds, which resulted in subsequent flooding. The severe winter storms began April 13, 2018 and lasted through May 4, 2018.

Aid from the Contingency Account will reimburse counties for public infrastructure repairs and clean-up costs. Under Minnesota law, the state will reimburse 75 percent of eligible costs for public infrastructure repairs and clean-up, with local governments responsible for covering the remaining 25 percent.

Governor Dayton’s letter can be read here.

Disaster Assistance for Public Infrastructure 

In 2014, Governor Dayton signed legislation establishing the State Disaster Assistance Contingency Account to assist local communities after a natural disaster without a special session, even when federal aid is not available. The legislation also directs the state to cover the full Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding match for local governments in federally declared disasters. More information is available here.