Walz authorizes assistance for storm cleanup in 6 Minnesota counties

ST. PAUL — Gov. Tim Walz authorized emergency assistance for six Minnesota counties, including Beltrami, Aitkin and Crow Wing counties, that sustained damage caused by severe weather this summer.

Tornadoes caused significant damage in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties on June 12. Beltrami experienced significant damage in the city of Bemidji caused by severe storms in late July and early August.

More Minnesota Weather

MN Arrowhead faces 'hazardous' air quality amid BWCAW wildfires

Due to smoke from Boundary Waters wildfires, the MPCA issued air quality alerts for large parts of Minnesota. The alert lasts until at least Friday, July 16, 2026.

Dangerous, extreme heat conditions in Northern Minnesota

While it is expected to cool off slightly on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, temperatures will stay high enough that additional heat advisories may be put in place.

Northern Minnesota continues to face drought conditions

Severe drought is present in at least 11% of Minnesota and another 18% is in moderate drought. The drought conditions are mostly seen in Northern Minnesota.

Weather service confirms damaging tornado north of Detroit Lakes

The storm caused damage to buildings, trees and power lines. Thousands experienced power outages due to the storm.

Photo Gallery: Iron Range celebrates the Fourth of July in all weather

Crowds of varying sizes showed up in both the sunshine and during a heavy downpour for annual Fourth of July parades in Iron Range communities.

Brief, weak tornado touched down Tuesday north of Cotton

The National Weather Service confirmed the Murphy Lake Tornado on July 2, 2026, based on drone imagery and local resident reports of damage.

Another round of storms brings strong wind, knocks out power for thousands

The second round of severe thunderstorms on June 29, 2026, knocked out power for even more people than the first round did, with strong winds, large hail and heavy rain.

Why the Brainerd area storm Monday morning was weaker than expected

The National Weather Service in Duluth issued an upgraded alert of a "destructive" thunderstorm June 29, 2026, but the storm passed through much calmer than expected.

Wind destroys Water Carnival tent in Bemidji; Storm impacts reported across region

Reports of funnel clouds, strong wind, large hail and power outages accompanied the well-defined “bow echo,” a storm system that often produces straight-line wind events.

Bemidji mayor accepts disaster leadership award for derecho response

Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince accepted the Tommy Longo Disaster Leadership Award from LeadersLink during the Bemidji City Council meeting on June 15, 2026.

“Minnesota’s emergency management team has been coordinating closely with counties to assess damage from severe weather this summer,” Walz stated in a Sept. 19 news release. “We’ll continue working to get communities the resources they need to recover.”

The news release states that as climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, impacts to outdated infrastructure and roadways have caused millions of dollars in damages statewide.

Collaborative emergency planning at all levels of government and investments in infrastructure are critical to safeguarding against future damage, according to officials.