ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today signed Emergency Executive Order 18-03 to provide assistance and emergency relief services to motorists. Heavy snow and strong winds have created dangerous driving conditions.

Today, the Steele County Sheriff requested the use of the Owatonna Armory, and the assistance of the Minnesota National Guard, to shelter stranded motorists. With road conditions expected to worsen, it is likely that additional Minnesota counties may require the assistance of the Minnesota National Guard.

Governor Dayton’s Emergency Executive Order directs the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard to provide assistance and emergency relief services in Steele County, until the termination of the emergency conditions caused by the winter storm. The Order also directs the National Guard to provide assistance in Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Faribault, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Waseca, and Watonwan counties as needed.

A copy of the Emergency Executive Order can be found here.