COOK, Minn. — Seeing something in person is often the best way to grasp its scope and true impact.
Governor Tim Walz traveled to the storm-ravaged community of Cook and other areas of northeastern Minnesota Friday morning to witness the damage and ongoing flooding triggered by Tuesday's deluge that dropped up to 10 inches of rain in parts of St. Louis County.
Cook, which is split by the Little Fork River, sustained the most widespread impacts from the storm. Businesses and homes in the city's downtown district and surrounding neighborhoods are under water, and forecasts call for flooding to only get worse. Some predictions say water levels could rise another 8 inches or more, depending on rain and thunderstorms in the region expected Friday into Saturday.
The governor toured the hardest hit areas, then returned to talk with residents and listen to their stories and concerns. He and lawmakers who represent the region spoke to reporters, pledging that they will work together in the recovery effort.
Walz cautioned that it will happen in phases: First, there will be an immediate cleanup effort to get residents in a healthy spot; then documentation of the damages for reimbursement; and finally, dealing with long-term rebuilding efforts. The governor also urged patience, telling the people of St. Louis County that the process will move slower than they'd like, and it will test their resolve and mental health.
"Watch your neighbors, the psychological impact of floods, cause it's slow going," the governor said. "It grinds you down. and you are going to have folks who sit down tonight and say, 'Do we rebuild or do we close our business?' And that is a really difficult decision and it's really hard on them and the community."
"It is OK to be impatient," Walz concluded. "It's OK to be angry about some of this if it's not working the way they want it to go because rebuilding has to happen."
On Thursday the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners declared a local state of disaster, the first step in opening the door for state and federal emergency funds. More than 40 roads - both main and smaller routes - were closed either due to flooding or damage caused by washouts.
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