Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan are assessing storm-damaged areas near Brainerd on Friday.
Monday’s severe weather damaged homes and businesses in the area, particularly around Gull, Round and North Long lakes and as far south as Brainerd International Raceway.
The elected officials, along with Public Safety Commissioner Mona Dohman and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr, will meet with local officials and fly over the area in a helicopter.
Resorts on Gull Lake and the Gull Dam Recreation Area were damaged and many reservations are being canceled as cleanup and repair efforts begin.
Dutch Cragun told the Brainerd Dispatch that thousands of trees fell on his family resort’s golf courses.
“We have a lot more open space now, and plenty of firewood,” Cragun said. “But to have to send people home because we don’t have power, that really hurts.”
Guests arriving at Grand View Lodge Monday were turned away because of the lack of power, said General Manager Mark Ronnei. Those already there were not evacuated, but he said many chose to return home.
