BEMIDJI — Nearly a year after a devastating derecho storm caused widespread damage in the city of Bemidji and surrounding areas, one local leader was recently recognized for his short-term and long-term efforts along the long road to recovery.
LeadersLink, a leadership nonprofit founded by former CNN correspondent Kathleen Koch, announced earlier this year that Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince was the winner of this year’s Tommy Longo Disaster Leadership Award.
“As a correspondent, I saw this around the country. I saw these amazing people doing amazing things,” Koch said of her decision to found LeadersLink, which connects elected officials to share knowledge and experience on disaster recovery.
“I know that reporters don't always like to wax sentimental about political leaders, elected officials, but in this case, I really saw it bring out the best in people.”
Prince was nominated for the competitive national award by the League of Minnesota Cities.
Executive Director Luke Fischer described the League’s decision to nominate Prince, who serves on its board of directors and is a trustee for its insurance trust board.
“He remained visible, accessible, and engaged as the recovery efforts unfolded,” Fischer said. “He communicated openly with residents to ensure that people had some sense that things were going to be okay even though they were dealing with the worst.”
During his acceptance speech Monday, June 15, in the Council’s chambers, Prince said while he was honored to accept it, the recognition belongs to more than one person.
“In the weeks that followed the storm, I saw a community come together in a way I'd never seen before,” Prince said. “Each person and organization doing their part.”
Beltrami County Emergency Management Director Chris Muller, Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood and United Way of Bemidji Area Executive Director Denae Alamano were just some of those who made remarks Monday on the various elements of storm response.
Muller recalled watching the storm system develop over Montana on June 20, 2025, but said even he was surprised by the destruction.
“While severe weather had been forecast for several days in advance, I don't think any of us could have been fully prepared for the fury unleashed across Bemidji,” he said.
The storm produced hurricane-force winds in excess of 100 mph and caused widespread damages and power outages. The storm’s damages totaled at least $10 million for city infrastructure, not to mention the millions of trees lost and the damage to private homes and businesses.
“Our initial relief funds raised over $300,000 to help our community, and we still have help coming,” Alamano said of the work that continues to connect people to resources.
“We also had over 1,000 volunteers in the first three weeks. Our United Way usually has 1000 volunteers in a year, so it was a lot for our small team.”
Sherwood described his role as the city of Bemidji’s chief emergency officer in response to the storm, where he worked closely with in-county responders as well as the dozens of agencies that reported to the area in the storm’s aftermath.
“What stands out most to me… is not necessarily the damage that we experienced, but the people who stepped forward in response to this emergency,” Sherwood said, citing the work of public works, law enforcement and utility providers. “Most importantly, it was those relationships that we never knew existed that really highlighted the event.”
Tommy Longo was the mayor of Waveland, Mississippi, a small town east of New Orleans that was devastated by 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. He helped form LeadersLink and shared his knowledge with other communities dealing with disaster.
“He was helping out in Texas after Hurricane Harvey and in Panama City, Florida after Hurricane Michael,” Koch said. “Tommy never said ‘no.’ He was always reaching a hand out, ready to share advice.”
He died in 2019, and the Disaster Leadership Award was then named in his honor.
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