"Our thoughts are with the people of North Dakota and Minnesota who are facing an unprecedented flooding emergency that threatens everything from their personal safety to their cities and towns," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. "Members of our Michigan State Police are on their way to assist and we stand ready to answer the call for further assistance should it be needed."

Serving as an EMAC Advance Team, members of the MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) will be deployed to St. Paul, Minn., for seven days in support of the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management. They will assist authorities on the Minnesota side of the Red River with the coordination of additional requests for out-of-state support in anticipation of the Red River breaking through barriers in the flood area, threatening residents.

"We did not hesitate to fulfill Minnesota's request for additional personnel in the fight to protect public health, safety and property from the imminent flooding situation," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, director of the MSP. "I am confident our department members will provide the utmost support to our fellow Midwest partners."

Through EMAC, a disaster impacted state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently.  Members of EMAC include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  The State of Michigan has been a member of EMAC since January 2002.