Wabasha County Tornados

Wabasha County Commissioners on April 21 declared a state of emergency in response to damage caused by multiple tornadoes on April 17.

The declaration unlocks critical, fast-tracked resources by activating local and state emergency plans, allowing access to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Disaster Assistance Contingency Fund.

According to the Plainview News, it enables rapid public assistance to repair infrastructure, allows for reassessment of damaged property for tax relief, and triggers potential low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Wabasha County Emergency Management Director Brenda Tomlinson, who requested the designation, said it was fortunate that no cities were damaged.

She said the National Weather Service rated a tornado southeast of Plainview at EF2, with winds from 100 to 120 mph.

Tomlinson said a tornado north and west of Elgin was rated at EF1, with winds of nearly 100 mph, adding that the high winds caused significant damage to roads, and private and public land.