Governor Pawlenty is asking for federal help to prepare for spring flooding along the Red and Minnesota Rivers. The governor says it has the potential to "exceed the capabilities of the state." In a letter to President Obama, the governor requests federal help for protective measures including generators, drinking water, sandbags, levee construction, emergency pumping and shelter for evacuees. Pawlenty wants federal assistance for 13 counties and says "many of these same communities were declared disaster areas in 2009, and have depleted financial reserves." They include Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Lac Qui Parle, Lyon, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Sibley, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine counties. The governor visits sandbagging operations in Moorhead this morning (8:30am) to thank volunteers. (MNN)