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Gov. Walz issues emergency assistance declaration for 2026 summer storms

A picture depicting a hard-hit neighborhood by the confirmed tornado that touched down north of Detroit Lakes on July 6, 2026.
Contributed
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State Sen. Rob Kupec
A picture depicting a hard-hit neighborhood by the confirmed tornado that touched down north of Detroit Lakes on July 6, 2026.

Six Minnesota counties will receive state assistance to repair public infrastructure damaged by severe summer storms.

Gov. Tim Walz announced an emergency assistance authorization for six Minnesota counties impacted by severe weather earlier this summer.

Becker and Crow Wing counties were included in the Wednesday, Aug. 19, declaration, which authorized state funding assistance for rebuilding public infrastructure damaged by severe weather in late June and early July.

Strong winds and hail were reported in Crow Wing County around Merrifield and Breezy Point near the end of June. Early on July 6, a confirmed tornado damaged trees, power lines and homes north of Detroit Lakes.

A tree snapped in the second round of severe thunderstorms June 29, 2026, falling on the Pryzbylski's house in Breezy Point.
Megan Buffington
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KAXE
A tree snapped in the second round of severe thunderstorms June 29, 2026, falling on the Pryzbylski's house in Breezy Point.

Four southern Minnesota counties are also receiving assistance for infrastructure damaged by floods.

“The severe storms and floods that swept across southern Minnesota earlier this summer inflicted irreparable damage and loss,” Walz stated. “I am thankful for Minnesota’s emergency management team for working swiftly and closely with the affected communities to assess damage and assist them as they rebuild and recover from these devastating storms.”

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