Minnesota National Guard Activated to Help Stranded Motorists

(KNSI) — A peacetime emergency is now in effect, and the Minnesota National Guard has been activated to help stranded motorists in the southwestern part of the state.

The Renville County Sheriff’s Department requested that the Minnesota National Guard assist with rescuing stranded motorists and provide local armories as emergency shelters. Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 22-33 declaring a peacetime emergency and providing the requested assistance. A press release from the governor’s office says, “The resources of the affected local and county governments are inadequate to meet the demands caused by these severe winter weather conditions.”

“Minnesota and the country are experiencing extreme winter weather, dangerous temperatures, and unsafe road conditions,” said Governor Walz. “Every Minnesotan deserves a safe holiday, and the Minnesota National Guard will help stranded motorists and ensure everyone can travel safely. I am incredibly grateful that the National Guard has answered this call to action, and I’m confident that they have the right personnel and resources for this mission.”

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says approximately 50 stranded motorists are staying at four shelters in southwestern Minnesota, including the armories in Olivia and Willmar, after being rescued by the National Guard. Officials used specialty vehicles and tracked ATVs and snowmobiles to reach them.

On Friday afternoon, a civil emergency message was broadcast for extreme southwestern Minnesota for a shelter in place.

Conditions are expected to improve through the day on Saturday.

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