In mid-September 2026, torrential rain moved through southern Minnesota. Ellendale recorded more than 7 inches of rain. Floodwaters overwhelmed creeks, spilled over their banks, and contributed to road closures across southeastern Minnesota.
For families, businesses, and neighborhoods in Ellendale, recovery is ongoing.
United Way of Steele County is launching a Disaster Relief Fund to support Ellendale, MN flooding community recovery. This fund will help our communities respond to urgent needs today while building the relationships, resources, and preparedness needed for tomorrow.
Give to the Disaster Relief Fund
Standing together through every phase of recovery
Disaster recovery does not end when the water goes down or when news coverage fades. Families may still need safe housing, food, home repairs, case management, mental health support, and help navigating available resources.
Our Disaster Relief Fund supports three connected phases:
- Preparedness: We strengthen readiness through education, planning, and coordination with emergency management. These efforts help reduce harm when disasters occur.
- Relief: When disaster strikes, we activate quickly to support shelter, food, water, information, and connections through 211 and local partners.
- Long-Term Recovery: We stay engaged after the headlines fade. In partnership with the local CAER-LTRG, we help families rebuild homes, restore stability, and access mental health supports and case management.
This approach reflects who we are as a community organization. We take immediate action, and we also work toward lasting solutions.
How the fund will help
During an active disaster, donations prioritize urgent relief and early recovery needs, including:
- Temporary shelter and housing support
- Food and clean water
- Essential supplies
- Home repairs
- Case management
- Information and referrals
- Connections to mental health and other community services
Between disasters, the fund helps strengthen our local response by supporting:
- Community preparedness education
- Volunteer coordination
- Partnerships with emergency management and local agencies
- Support for unmet needs
- Planning for faster, more coordinated recovery
Funds are distributed in alignment with local needs, vetted community partners, and emerging recovery priorities. United Way coordinates with VOADs, emergency management, and partner agencies to reduce duplication and close gaps.
GET HELP: Call 211 for resources
If you or someone you know needs help after the Ellendale flooding, support is available.
Call 211 or the toll-free number 800-543-7709. You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211.
Trained Community Resource Specialists can connect residents with:
- Shelters
- Food assistance
- Housing resources
- Mental health support
- Disaster information
- Other local services
This service is FREE, confidential, and available in multiple languages.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
You may also contact the United Way of Steele County office at 507-455-1180. During a disaster, an application for available assistance will be posted on the Disaster Relief and Recovery page.
GIVE: Support relief today and recovery tomorrow
Every gift helps strengthen our community’s ability to respond.
You can make a one-time donation or establish a recurring gift on a monthly or quarterly schedule. Recurring gifts provide dependable support for long-term rebuilding, preparedness, and future unmet needs.
Donate through the Disaster Relief Fund
Donors may designate a city, county, or program area. United Way honors designations whenever possible. Undesignated gifts are directed to the most pressing needs.
Your gift can help a neighbor find temporary support today. It can also help a family regain stability weeks or months from now. Together, we can help Ellendale recover with compassion, coordination, and care.
VOLUNTEER: Be ready to lend a hand
Volunteers will play an important role in recovery. When it is safe and coordinated, opportunities may include:
- Supporting distribution centers
- Organizing food, water, and essential supplies
- Helping with cleanups
- Assisting with information sharing
- Supporting long-term recovery activities
- Helping local agencies meet changing needs
Please do not self-deploy to disaster areas. Coordinated volunteering helps protect residents, volunteers, and response teams.
Join the United Way of Steele County volunteer list to receive information about safe, appropriate opportunities. Individuals, families, faith communities, service groups, and businesses are all welcome.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Share your capabilities
Local organizations are essential to an effective disaster response.
If your organization provides services during disasters, please contact our team and share your capabilities. This may include shelter, food, transportation, cleanup, health services, mental health support, housing assistance, interpretation, or other resources.
Connecting early helps us understand what is available, coordinate efforts, reduce duplication, and respond to unmet needs.
Building preparedness before the next emergency
The Ellendale flooding reminds us that preparedness is a shared responsibility. Small steps taken today can make a significant difference during an emergency.
Family and household preparedness
- Make a three-day “Go Kit” with water, food, medications, chargers, and copies of important IDs.
- Agree on a household meeting place and an out-of-area contact.
- Know evacuation routes and sign up for local emergency alerts.
- Keep important phone numbers and medical information in an accessible location.
Neighbor and community preparedness
- Check on older adults and people with disabilities.
- Share preparedness checklists in your building, neighborhood, or faith community.
- Participate in preparedness trainings and drills.
- Talk with neighbors about how you can support one another during an emergency.
Small-business preparedness
- Back up records, payroll information, and essential documents.
- Create a business continuity plan.
- Update insurance information and photograph business assets.
- Register with the partner network for reopening support.
Prepared communities recover more quickly because people know where to turn, who can help, and how to work together.
Transparency is part of our commitment
We understand that donors want to know how their gifts make a difference.
United Way of Steele County will post summary reports on the Disaster Relief and Recovery page. Reports will include funds raised, distributions, and outcomes. Updates will also be emailed to donors and partners at regular intervals throughout the response and recovery phases.
Our stewardship commitments include:
- Aligning distributions with local needs
- Working with vetted community partners
- Honoring donor designations whenever possible
- Directing undesignated gifts to the greatest current need
- Coordinating with VOADs, emergency management, and partner agencies
- Sharing updates as recovery priorities develop
Ellendale’s recovery is our shared work
Flood recovery takes time. It requires neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, volunteers, local leaders, and donors to work together.
United Way of Steele County is honored to help launch this Disaster Relief Fund with a focus on Ellendale, Minnesota. By giving, volunteering, sharing accurate information, and checking on one another, we all help build a stronger, more resilient Steele County.
Choose how you can help today:
- Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund
- Join the volunteer list
- Share the Disaster Relief and Recovery page
- Call 211 or 800-543-7709 for help
- Text your ZIP code to 898-211
- Call United Way of Steele County at 507-455-1180
Together, we can bring relief today, support recovery tomorrow, and keep building a community ready to face what comes next.