UPDATE: WCCO now reports Pawlenty: 6 Killed In SE Minn. Floods.
We'll post information about what readers can do to help as it becomes available. In the meantime, stay dry.
It's been raining cats, dogs, and the proverbial cow with her flat rock in parts of southern Minnesota. Our hearts go out to our friends in the Winona and LaCrescent area. The National Guard has been called out and Governor Pawlenty declares state of emergency for six counties in southeastern Minnesota. As a safety precaution, Xcel cutting off gas to Goodview.
The Winona Daily News has set up a Flood Blog. There's also a cancellation and closings page.
The WDN headlines give a pretty good idea of what's going on down there:
Five dead, more missing in flash floods in Winona County; two reported dead in Houston County:
Trout streams turned to raging rivers Saturday night, sweeping away homes and killing at least five people in Winona County and two in Houston County.
Up to four people were missing Sunday morning and hundreds were evacuated from their homes after streams and creeks flooded areas of southeastern Minnesota Saturday night.
Much of Stockton was under water, and the National Guard mobilized 75 troops and two helicopters to assist with rescue efforts, but as of 11:45 a.m. the helicopters were unable to reach Stockton because of poor flying conditions.
Flooding forces evacuation of five area towns:
Five towns have been evacuated due to extensive flooding that began early this morning. Residents in the towns of Elgin in Wabasha County, Elba, Minnesota City, Stockton, Pickwick and parts of Winona in Winona County have been relocated to shelters at St. Mary’s University in Winona, St. Charles High School and Elgin Middle School. Approximately 150 people from Rushford have been evacuated to the Rushford High School.
People seeking information on families and friends in the area should contact the St. Mary’s University switchboard at 507-452-4430 and ask for the American Red Cross extension or 507-932-4420 in the St. Charles area.
County Road 16 between Hokah and Houston is closed due to mudslides. Highway 26 from Brownsville to the Iowa border is also closed. The Highway 76 bridge which crosses the Root River at Highway 16 is closed. The Canadian Pacific Rail bridge at Minnesota City is closed. Scattered power outages throughout the area have been reported.
At 2 a.m., Governor Pawlenty activated the National Guard, sending 75 soldiers to Winona County and two helicopters (Winona and Houston counties) to help in response efforts. The State Emergency Operating Center is open in St. Paul, with state officials coordinating efforts with local partners.
The Rochester Post Bulletin reports Flooding kills five in Winona County and a AgriNews writer reports on Mother Nature's rude visitor in Heavy rains bring mudslide into couple's front yard.
The Star Tribune reports that heavy rains have fallen in south central Minnesota, though no loss of life is reported:
Radar estimates at 5:16 a.m. today indicated that five to 8 inches of rain has fallen near Redwood Falls, Morgan, Sleepy Eye, New Ulm and Hanska, the weather service is reporting. Most of the heavier rain was moving to the east, but at least a half inch more of rain could fall, causing rapid runoff and further flooding.
At 5:23 a.m. the weather service said that storms dropping one to two inches of rain per hour were moving across the Interstate Hwy. 90 corridor from near Blue earth to Albert Lea. The rains were expected to result in rapid runoff and potential flood of roads and small streams.
"Just one foot of rushing water can sweep most vehicles off the road," the weather service said.
Television stations in Lacrosse and Rochester are featuring some incredible stills and footage. It's best to stay home and watch if you have power: KAAL-TV notes People warned to stay out of southeastern MN.
The most recent Star & Tribune article quotes an area farmer:
"Railroad tracks along Hwy. 14, from Rochester to Winona have been washed out, he said."
This is the DM&E line.
TV Video of both Minnesota City and Goodview also show shots of destruction to tracks and railroad bridges. Is this the CP line?
Posted by: KJohnson | August 19, 2007 at 03:44 PM