Gov. Tim Pawlenty urges volunteers to help with flood fight as he tours Moorhead, Oakport
Update 3:15 p.m.
MOORHEAD - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made stops in Moorhead and Oakport Monday afternoon and planned to stop later in Breckenridge, Minn., to observe the flood battle there.
Pawlenty said about 230 Minnesota National Guard troops were helping with flood efforts and he said he expects that number will eventually reach about 400.
The Guard's mission is to help with traffic control and to patrol dikes once they are completed.
Pawlenty said the region has fought floods before and won and he said the same will happen this time around.
Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Kris Eide and Major General Larry Shellito, the Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General, were scheduled to travel with Pawlenty.
The state officials were briefed by local emergency management officials about flood preparations in the Red River Valley.
On Friday Gov. Pawlenty declared a state of emergency in Wilkin, Clay, Marshall, Polk, Norman, Kittson, and Traverse Counties due to rapidly warming temperatures and significant rainfall that has created the potential for serious flooding.
