Governor Walz Authorizes National Guard to Support Flood Operations

MINNESOTA, USA — Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency Saturday to allow the Minnesota National Guard to assist in emergency flood operations across the state.

The state received a request for National Guard assistance from the Le Sueur County Sheriff for logistical and operational support, according to a release.

“Across the state, the intense rains have had catastrophic effects. The floods left entire communities under water, causing severe property damage and numerous road closures. As flooding continues, the National Guard is ready to respond to help our neighbors,” Governor Walz said in a statement.

The authorization comes as the city of Waterville and surrounding communities experienced approximately 14 to 18 inches of precipitation, with Lakes Tetonka and Sakatah reaching uncontrollable levels, according to the governor’s office.

“City of Waterville staff, Le Sueur County Emergency Management, Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office and volunteers worked for several days to mitigate the effects of the severe weather. The continued rise in emergency levels water from additional rainfall over the weekend required additional manpower and resources,” the release said.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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