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Todd County declares state of emergency after June 20 windstorm; utility damage may qualify for state aid
Summary
Todd County commissioners on July 1 declared a state of emergency for damage from the June 20 windstorm after Stearns Electric reported 22 broken poles; the utility’s reported losses exceed the state public infrastructure threshold making it eligible for up to 75% reimbursement under Minnesota law.
Todd County commissioners voted July 1 to declare a state of emergency for damage caused by high winds on June 20, 2025, a declaration prompted by utility and road damage in the West Union area.
The county’s emergency management staff told the board that Stearns Electric Cooperative reported 22 broken utility poles in the West Union area, at about $3,000 per pole, for a reported estimated damage total of roughly $66,000. That reported amount exceeds the Minnesota public infrastructure disaster assistance threshold cited in the presentation, making Stearns Electric eligible for up to 75% reimbursement under state public infrastructure assistance rules described by staff.
County staff presented a draft resolution that says the Todd County Board of Commissioners declares Todd County in a state of emergency for conditions resulting from the high‑winds event of June 20, 2025. The board approved the resolution on a voice vote.
Commissioners and staff described additional impacts in the same area: crop losses noted by a commissioner and a washout of a culvert on County Road 46. Emergency Management said it will request a preliminary damage assessment; that work may be delayed while teams respond to more heavily damaged counties, and the county will forward damage documentation to state authorities as teams become available.
Why it matters: the emergency declaration opens access to state disaster‑assistance programs for public infrastructure and supports the county’s economic recovery process by documenting damage and requesting state review. If the state approves assistance, Stearns Electric and other eligible public infrastructure owners could receive partial reimbursement for repair costs.
The board’s action was procedural: staff requested the declaration and recommended approval so the county and partner agencies could begin damage assessment and apply for state assistance. The record shows the board voted in favor; staff plans to coordinate a preliminary damage assessment and follow up with the governor’s office as state teams are available.
Speakers quoted in this article spoke during agenda item 7.1 of the July 1, 2025 Todd County Board meeting.
