Beltrami County declares 30-day emergency after June 21 storms

The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at a special meeting Monday to declare Beltrami County in a state of emergency effective June 23, 2025, for 30 days to respond to damage from severe thunderstorms that struck the area on June 21.

The declaration, contained in a resolution read into the record at the meeting, authorizes the county’s emergency management director to coordinate recovery efforts with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and to pursue available reimbursement programs. The resolution notes widespread damage to public and private facilities, “several hundred thousand” downed trees, and that local resources were overwhelmed and required mutual aid.

County Emergency Management Director Christopher Muller, who the board authorized to conduct recovery on the county’s behalf, described the event as rare. "An absolutely unprecedented event occurred in Bemidji, a 120 mile an hour winds," Muller said, adding that the county had mobilized to stabilize the incident and support residents.

Commissioner Carlson moved to approve the resolution and Commissioner Gould seconded the motion; the board approved it by voice vote with no opposition. The declared emergency covers response and recovery activities and notes that reimbursement assistance through the state’s disaster assistance contingency account (DACA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster recovery program may be available.

Board members used the special session to thank county staff, city crews, mutual-aid responders and volunteers. Commissioner Carlson said, "I just wanna thank Chris, our emergency director, for all of his hard work throughout." Commissioner Gould noted coordinated sheltering and relief: Health and Human Services staff set up at the Sanford Center, which remains available for displaced residents and for distribution of supplies in partnership with the American Red Cross.

Board members reported widespread power outages and ongoing restoration work. Citing Otter Tail Power Company estimates, Commissioner Gould said the company’s goal was to restore downtown service by 10 p.m. Monday and that other neighborhoods had later target times; she also cautioned that company estimates are not guarantees. Commissioner Sumner reported a tornado strike in the Grigla area that trapped one vehicle under debris; he said there were no injuries.

The resolution states the county participated previously in the state and federal disaster assistance programs and that preliminary estimates indicate the damage threshold for state or federal assistance has likely been exceeded. The board’s action grants the county authority to coordinate mutual aid, stabilize immediate hazards, support sheltering and basic needs, and document damage for potential reimbursement.

The board adjourned after approving the resolution. The declaration is effective June 23, 2025, for 30 days or until emergency conditions no longer exist, and county staff will continue to update the public on recovery steps and assistance options.