 Governor Mark Dayton is requesting federal help for Minnesota communities hit hard by severe storms and flooding between June 15th and July 12th. Dayton has sent a letter to President Trump requesting a disaster declaration. That would mean the Federal Emergency Management Agency would fund 75% of approved costs. The state would pay the other 25%. Heavy rainfall tornadoes, straight line winds, violent thunderstorms and widespread flooding prompted Dayton to declare a state of emergency in 36 counties and one tribal nation. Federal, state and local officials conducting damage assessments verified more than $21 million of eligible damages for counties which include Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Itasca and Kuchaching in our viewing area as well as the tribal governments of Leech Lake, Vandal, Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation and White Earth Nation. Lakeland PBS