Add Polk County to the list of local counties that have declared states of emergency ahead of spring flooding.
Polk County's Board of Commissioners on Tuesday passed a resolution declaring a state of emergency, according to Jody Beauchane, the county's emergency management director.
The move means the county will be able to reach out to the state for help "without any hold-ups," Beauchane said.
If any cities in Polk County have levy issues, for instance, they'll be able to ask the Minnesota State Guard for assistance.
“It’s a stepping stone if we need to do something down the road, as far as asking for help from the state or federal government,” said Warren Strandell, chair of Polk County’s Board of Commissioners. “It’s a precaution.”
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Beauchane said several counties south of Polk have already made similar declarations. Last month, Grand Forks County declared a state of emergency .
He stressed that the emergency declaration is "just to prepare," noting that the county has not yet experienced any major overland flooding.
"There might be a couple low spots that go down every year, (where) the road is naturally low," he said. "As of right now, we're not having any major issues. I think ... this time next week, we'll be in full spring run-off mode."
