A letter requesting that Redwood, Renville, Lyon, Lincoln, Yellow Medicine and Pipestone Counties be declared in a state of emergency has been sent to Governor Mark Dayton.

On Friday, July 1st confirmed tornados and winds at 100 mph caused heavy damage.

The letter that was signed by State Senator Gary Dahms, Senator Doug Magnus, Senator Gary Kubly and State Representatives Chris Swedzinski, Joe Schomacker and Lyle Koenen was sent on Thursday.

In the request letter it stated the residents in the rural areas have come together to provide assistance in any way they can, but goodwill and kind deed can only accomplish so much.

The counties need to be classified as disaster areas to be eligible for state and federal aid.

The Parkview Manor is listed amongst the damage list. Roof damage at the facility required residents to be moved to other facilities and all employees were laid off-which is anticipated to have a large impact on the small community of Belview. Crop damage, power outages, and home damage was also listed.