(L-R) Willi Kostiuk, Koochiching County Emergency Coordinator; Jason Sjoblom, Koochiching County Board chair; Betsy Zaren, Koochiching County Administration Director; Koochiching County Sheriff, Perryn Hedlund. Supplied photo, May 9, 2003

The response to last year’s flooding has garnered Koochiching County a state award.

It has received an Outstanding Commitment to Community Recovery Award from Minnesota’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management division.

Emergency Coordinator Willi Kostiuk recommended the county for the award.

“Their willingness to provide the emergency management personnel with the necessary equipment, guidance, and staff provided proved to be vital throughout the response and the recovery phase of the disaster. And that’s why I recommended this,” says Kostiuk.

Hundreds of homes along the Minnesota side of Rainy Lake and the upper part of the Rainy River were impacted by the flooding.

Over one million sandbags were filled and placed to property personal property.

Kostiuk says the response helped to minimize damage.

“Due to the sustained effort of the volunteers, state and local officials, and its citizens, only one of the 745 homes threatened sustained major damage, according to the Federal Emergency Management Administration FEMA.”

Board chair Jason Sjoblom credits Kostiuk for his work.

“(This) was truly a community effort with great leadership. Both Willie and (Sheriff Perryn Hedlund). We really appreciate all your efforts. It made a big difference. I know it wasn’t easy, but you made it look easy,” says Sjoblom.