Schomacker asks for disaster declaration

ST. PAUL — Following last week’s devastating tornadoes, District 22A Rep. Joe Schomacker, R-Luverne, has joined other lawmakers from southwestern Minnesota in asking Gov. Mark Dayton to declare their districts a disaster area.

“These storms have taken their toll on area homes, businesses, and farmland,” Schomacker said. “Tornado damage is the last thing southwestern Minnesota needed, and I’m hopeful Governor Dayton will soon agree that our area meets the qualifications for a disaster area.”

Schomacker said if Dayton declares a state of emergency, disaster victims will be able to utilize state resources in order to begin the cleanup and rebuilding process.

The following counties were named in the lawmakers’ request: Lincoln, Lyon, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, and Yellow Medicine. These counties need to be classified as disaster areas to be eligible for state and federal aid.

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