[Page updated as needed]
Storm Summary
MAY-12th
A rare and extreme severe weather event moved across the eastern Dakota's and western Minnesota on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at around 6pm; producing widespread wind damage, down bursts, and possibly several tornadoes. Wind gusts in Madison around 6pm were measured at 94mph, with wind damage indicating between 100 and 110mph in a path from Madison, northeast to Louisburg. Widespread damage across Lac qui Parle County was seen in particularly to south-facing tree damage, shingle damage, grain bins, garages and sheds. Several homes were destroyed, many with major damages, and over 400 were affected in some way. Community canopy coverage took a major hit with debris cleanup ongoing. Churches, power poles, and public infrastructure was also damaged.
MAY-30th
Another set of severe storms moved through Lac qui Parle County on Memorial Day, Monday May 30th; producing 60-80mph winds and some heavy rain, again downing power lines, causing tree, bin, shed and structure (mostly shingle) damage on structures across the county and in the NE portions (Hantho Twp, Cerro Gordo Twp).
Board Actions
County Disaster Declaration (5-12-22)
County Board Resolution (Extension) (5-15-22)
County Disaster Declaration for May-30, June-20 (6-22-22)
Immediate Needs, Issues, or Concerns
Please report any immediate needs, issues, or concerns resulting from this storm with the Lac qui Parle County Sheriff's Office by calling 320-598-3720 or by emailing lqpso@lqpco.com.
Reporting Damge
If you suffered damage due to the May 12th severe weather or May 30th severe weather, you are asked to document and take photos of your damage and submit them to the Emergency Managment office via email: emergencymanagement@lqpco.com. Verbal reports are also welcome by calling Blain Johnson, EM Director, at 320-598-7171.
Your photos and information will be used to create better situational awareness for storm debris and cleanup, help target response efforts across the county, and be utilized in state and federal reporting to help assess the need for public and indificual assistance programs in the immediate future.
Debris Management
Lac qui Parle County will be providing roll off dumpsters free of charge to all county residents to help assist in storm cleanup and debris removal. Dumpsters have been placed in Bellingham to start and will be rotated to other sites across the county in the coming weeks. There will be two dumpsters, one for garbage (damaged items or household garbage), and one for building material ONLY (shingles, bricks, wood, siding, drywall, metal). Due to high demand, we are unable to place dumpsters at every site immediately; but expect to get to each site within 2 weeks so residents do not have to drive across the county to dump their material. Residents are encouraged to stack or trailer their debris in anticipation of the above local sites to open.
You may also travel to the nearest landfill yourself which can be found in the following debris guide:
County Guide for Disposal of Storm Debris
Dumpster Locations and Times
Red (closed) Green (open)
| Municipality | Site | Location | Dates |
| Bellingham (city) | City Shop | Across from American Legion | Thu-Fri (5/19, 5/20) |
| Marietta (city) | City cold storage | Main Street | Sat-Mon (5/21-23) |
| Nassau (city) | Near city building | 4th St. & 2nd Ave | Mon-Thu (5/23-26) |
| Rosen (uninc.) | Open lot in town | 1264 340th St., Bellingham, MN | Tue-Thu (5/24-26) |
| Louisburg | Elevator Parking Lot | 400 3rd Avenue | Fri-Tue (5/27 – 5/31) |
| Cerro Gordo (twp) | Town Hall | CR-26, 1/2 mi. west of Hwy 40 | Fri-Tue (5/27 – 5/31) |
| Freeland (twp) | Town Hall | CR-11, 1/2 mi. south of CR-2 | Wed-Mon (6/1 – 6/6) |
| Madison (city) | Water Plant | Hwy-40 & 2nd Ave | Wed-Thu (6/1 – 6/2), Fri-Sun (6/10 – 6/12) |
| LqP Village | Near Town Hall | Broadway & River Rd | Fri – Wed (6/3 – 6/8) |
| Hantho (twp) | Town Hall | Hwy-28, just west of Hwy-119 | Thu – Sun (6/9 – 6/12) |
| Boyd (city) | Fire Hall | South side of old school | Mon – Thu (6/6 – 6/9) |
| Dawson (city) | Olson's Sanitation | 175 N 7th Street | Leave in parking lot and report 'storm debris' |
NOTES:
- THE STORM DUMP PROGRAM WAS DISCONTINUED ON MONDAY JUNE 13th.
- Additional locations and times may be adjusted based on need and usage, so please stay tuned for updates on this webpage.
- Lac qui Parle County is partnering with Olson’s Sanitation on servicing the dump sites.
Volunteer Needs
Please contact KLQP Radio (320-598-7301) if you would like to volunteer to assist in storm response OR if you are in need of assistance in cleanup or other issues.
County Severe Storm Committee
Appointed on 5-17-2022
- Stacy Tufto, Commissioner
- Jake Sieg, Administrator
- Allen Anderson, Sheriff
- Blain Johnson, EM Director
This board-appointed team serves to make executive decisions on behalf of the full board of commissioners relating to the response and recovery of the windstorm disaster in between commissioner meetings.
Property Tax Abatement
Due to the scale and intensity of damages seen with this storm, the Severe Storm Committee in coordination with the County Assessor's Office will be analyzing potential property tax abatement assessments and will be looking at ways to assist taxpayers as needed/necessary. The Lac qui Parle County Land Records Office is requesting county residents with substantial structure damage due to the recent storms (at least 50% of a building) report the damage to the office by the end of business day on Thursday, June 30th, 2022.
Any questions please contact the Lac qui Parle County Land Records office at 320-598-3187 or email assessor@lqpco.com.
Municipality Information
Locally Declared Disaster: YES – May 12, 2022 (75% local cost reimbursement)
Federally Declared Disaster: YES – July 8, 2022 (100% local cost reimbursement)
PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT (Meeting #1)
When: Thursday June 2nd at 9:00 am
Where: Madison City Hall, 404 6th Avenue, Madison, MN 56256
Who: Eligible Applicants (County, Cities, Twp’s, Coop’s, State Agencies in county)
APPLICANT BRIEFING (Meeing #2)
To Be Determined Date & Time
Costs that may be eligible for reimbursement:
• Uninsured damage to public infrastructure / deductibles
• Debris removal and management (cradle to grave)
• Emergency response costs (time, material, vehicles, hours, etc)
Addt’l categories will be explained at the meeting.
To prepare for the Applicant Briefing, please remember all potential applicants should bring the following items:
• Photos of damage
• Jurisdiction maps indicating the damage locations
• Estimates, invoices, quotes
• Insurance policy and deductibles
Attached is the latest FEMA schedule of reimbursement rates from 2021 if you need to reference that.
FEMA Project Forms: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/tools-resources/templates-forms
All applications will have additional time gather documentation and this meeting is not required to submit an application to the state/FEMA, but will greatly assist applicants in knowing what is eligible and what documentation is needed for submitting an application.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Blain Johnson, EM Director.
Storm Resources
- Damaged Ag Buildings Dealing with Damaged ag Buildings (MN Extension)
- Private water wells contaminated with flood water can pose a health risk. MDH recommends that well owners take precautions before possible flooding, and take corrective actions should a well be flooded. Flooded Wells – EH: Minnesota Department of Health (state.mn.us)
- Septic systems inundated with flood water can pose a health and safety risk, as well as cause potential damaging impacts to the system and its performance of wastewater treatment. The MPCA recommends actions property owners can take as prevention before flooding, during a flood and after flood water recedes. What to do with your septic system during a flood (state.mn.us)