[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today /governor/assets/12.5.19%20DACA%20Wahasha%20Co%20authorization%20letter_tcm1055-412447.pdfauthorized state disaster assistance for Wabasha County for damage sustained from severe thunderstorm and tornado damage on September 24, 2019. This weather event caused significant damage to public infrastructure, especially electric utilities in the county. 

“It’s our responsibility to help local and county governments recover from unprecedented weather events that have occurred this fall,” said Governor Walz. “The damage to the public infrastructure of Wabasha County presents a significant cost burden. That’s why we’re authorizing state disaster assistance to aid in recovery efforts.”

A state/county preliminary damage assessment identified $103,650 in eligible damages, well above the state disaster assistance threshold but below the threshold for federal assistance. The Wabasha County Board of Commissioners declared a local emergency and a submitted request for state disaster assistance to aid in recovery.

This authorization by the Governor allows the State Disaster Assistance Contingency Account to cover 75% of eligible costs. Local governments will cover the remaining 25% of eligible costs.