According to a June 27 DNR’s Climate Journal post, the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks estimated winds in the June 21 storm may have reached as high as 120 mph, and “…nearly 60 thousand customers lost power in northwestern Minnesota, spread over nearly a dozen counties, with some residents remaining without power six days after the storm. The extreme winds snapped and uprooted trees; peeled off roofs; knocked down power lines and transmission towers; flipped vehicles; and produced secondary damage to structures and vehicles throughout the area.”
Due to damage and electrical outages from the storm, Bemidji State University closed through Saturday, June 28. Northwest Technical College closed through Wednesday, June 25. Both campuses moved to remote work and teaching during the closures while crews cleared debris, assessed damage and brought essential services back online.
This webpage provides information and resources as part of our storm response and recovery, supplementing ongoing communications and updates to the campus community. It will be updated regularly. Please see resources and answers to frequently asked questions below.
Resources
- Submit a question. As a reminder, you can send questions anonymously.
- Report new or unusual damage through our TeamDynamix ticketing system.
- Counseling for faculty and staff. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for faculty and staff offers 24/7 confidential support to Minnesota State employees. Call 1-800-657-3719 or (651) 259-3840.
- Counseling for students. For those in need of immediate support, please take advantage of the resources available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Mantra Health. There, you have access to therapy, self-care modules, emotional wellness coaching, peer-to-peer support (Togetherall) and in-the-moment support via ConnectNow. Create an account using your .edu email.
- Other support services include Mobile Crisis (for anyone in crisis). Counselors are available 24/7 and can provide urgent or emergency support to anyone in crisis. The 24-Hour Mobile Crisis Line is 1-800-422-0045. You may also text “MN” to 741741 to connect with trained and confidential counselors.