The Minnesota Army National Guard is activated in northern Minnesota in response to flood waters after Governor Tim Walz signed an Emergency Executive Order last night.
Just before midnight on Friday, April 12th, 35 soldiers of 2-136 Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry, headquartered in Moorhead, mustered to prepare for flood response in Oslo. Soldiers are expected to begin support operations today at noon. They will be conducting various operations along-side the Marshall County Sheriff and Oslo Fire Department.
Additionally, 143 soldiers from 224th Transportation Company, headquartered in Austin, continue to support local authorities at 18 traffic control points in Freeborn County and four traffic control points in Mower County.
Armories in Albert Lea and Owatonna are not currently sheltering any civilians. Last night marks the fourth State of Emergency for the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2019. Other winter storm activations include the ongoing winter storm response in southern Minnesota that began April 11, state activation February 7-8 in Renville County and February 23-24 in multiple counties. Additionally, the Minnesota National Guard provided Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) assistance to the State of Nebraska from March 19-28.
About the Minnesota National Guard
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 soldiers and airmen who serve in 61 communities across the state. The citizen-soldiers and airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies and contribute to local committees.
