Kandiyohi County declares state of emergency after July storms, seeks state reimbursement

Kandiyohi County on Aug. 19 approved Resolution 2025-27, declaring a state of emergency for storm damage in parts of the county after a July 27 storm that brought high winds, rain and hail to the Sunburg and New London areas.

Ace Bonhamah, Kandiyohi County emergency management director, said the declaration is aimed primarily at documenting public infrastructure damage so the county can pursue state reimbursement. “We will not fortunately I guess be reach federal levels for any assistance, but this is for public infrastructure and mainly it's the power company, Kandiyohi Co-op Power and then the city of Sunburg,” Bonhamah said.

Bonhamah told the board the county’s threshold for local damage is $103,000 and that preliminary estimates currently total about $105,000. He said the county will conduct a preliminary damage assessment with the State’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) staff and submit documentation to the governor’s office for approval; if approved by the state, some expenditures could be reimbursed at 75 percent.

Commissioners asked whether lost business revenue or internet outages could be included in the estimate; Bonhamah said such losses do not fall under the public infrastructure categories but that the county would ask HSEM about small-business support during the preliminary damage assessment.

The board approved the resolution by voice vote after a motion and second. No roll-call tally was recorded in the public minutes.

The declaration follows earlier flood events tied to June storms, for which Bonhamah said the county is still awaiting state approval. He said volunteer resources are constrained statewide and that county staff are coordinating with local churches and volunteer organizations to assist residents who remain in need.