MN flooding: President Biden approves major disaster declaration

Red Wing dealing with ongoing flooding

The City of Red Wing continues battling floodwaters as many roadways, walking trails, and bike paths are submerged. However, the Mississippi River is set to crest just below the major flood stage on Monday, and the water should start receding after.

(FOX 9) - President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Minnesota counties hit hard by flooding.

The declaration covers several counties across both northern and southern Minnesota, including Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Watonwan counties.

Storms and consistent rain over the past two months have brought widespread flooding across the state. Over the last week, flooding in southern Minnesota has dominated headlines. Before that, a major storm brought major flooding in northern Minnesota.

The declaration now allows residents and governments in those counties access to federal funds when recovery efforts get underway.