Minnesota Governor Surveys Storm Damage

Moose Lake and Litchfield Areas Visited

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith are traveling across the state surveying storm damage.

Lt. Governor Tina Smith says Moose Lake is suffering right now but showing resilience.

“Down the road is working with the local governments the local mayors and county commissioners will do an assessment cost of the damage done,” said Smith. “Then we’ll be able to figure out whether or not the state can step in with a emergency disaster declaration.”

Smith saw locals in Moose Lake sandbagging and securing the pumping stations for the waste water treatment plants to make sure they are protected from raw sewage that would back into people’s homes from rising waters.

Meanwhile Moose Lake Chief of Police was also on hand.

“The water is still rising on Moose Head Lake,” said Bryce Bogenholm. “It’s actually a river and fed by two rivers. So the main river that feeds its crested in Barnum at about 6 p.m. Historically it takes 20 to 30 hours for the affect to come downstream past us.”

Moose Lake is in a flood emergency with several street and roadways underwater.

Meanwhile Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton spent the day surveying tornado damage in Litchfield. The tornado hit the area Tuesday night, tearing off roofs of homes knocking down trees and power lines.

Crews now begin cleanup and no injuries have been reported.