ST. PAUL – State Rep. Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, and several other House Republicans have sent a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, requesting he declare a flood emergency to deal with the extensive flooding in northwestern Minnesota.

Nornes said the flooding is causing financial and logistical challenges for many, especially Minnesota farmers. He said an executive order, paired with federal declarations, would give farmers access to financial assistance as well as assist with emergency road repairs.

“Our farmers already have had the deck stacked against them in a challenging ag. industry and we need to do what we can to alleviate some of the pressure recent flooding has added,” Nornes said. “Issuing an execitive order is simply the right thing to do to help Minnesotans in need and I urge the governor to respond accordingly.”

The letter also requested the Walz administration’s help in working with the federal government to seek a Secretarial disaster designation through the United States Department of Agriculture, and a Presidential disaster declaration. North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum signed a similar executive order earlier this week.

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